Eur J Pharmacol. 2026 Jan 23:178600. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2026.178600. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major public health issue causing high mortality rates worldwide. Its pathogenesis is complex and diverse, its treatment costs are high, and it represents a serious threat to human health. In recent years, changes in amino acid metabolism have drawn widespread attention as a key part of regulating CVD. Among these amino acids, glutamine (Gln)-the most abundant free amino acid in the body - has gradually shown important potential in the cardiovascular system, both in terms of its metabolic activity and its role in functional regulation. As new technologies like spatiotemporal metabolomics and single-cell metabolic imaging have developed, they have provided new ways to systematically analyze the dynamic distribution and regulatory mechanisms of Gln in the tissue microenvironment. This paper reviews Gln's metabolic pathways in the body and how it works in maintaining cardiovascular balance and in disease states, including ferroptosis, oxidative stress (OS), and inflammatory regulation. It also looks at, based on current research, how Gln might help treat different CVD models and its potential value in practical use. Finally, this paper suggests that future research should combine metabolomics methods with higher temporal and spatial resolution. This will help further identify the key metabolic nodes and pathways of Gln in CVD development, and provide theoretical support and technical ways to develop precise treatment plans based on regulating amino acid metabolism.
PMID:41581722 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejphar.2026.178600