Project title: Evaluation of L-glutamine as a tool for gut microbiome-mediated enhancement of metformin therapy efficacy

Project No.: lzp-2024/1-0072

Period: 1st January 2025 – 31 December 2027

Project costs: 300 000,00 EUR

Principal Investigator: Dr. biol. Ilze Elbere

Project summary:

Metformin is a widely used glucose-lowering agent with diverse health benefits, however, over 20% of metformin users fail to reach the glycaemic target when on metformin monotherapy. Recent studies have shown that glutamine supplementation has positive effects on metabolic variables in obese individuals and T2D patients, however, there are no data on its interaction with metformin treatment. Based on this knowledge gap and our preliminary data we propose this study with the main goal of evaluating the potential of L-glutamine supplementation as an enhancer to the therapeutic efficacy of metformin and to identify the gut microbiome mediated elements of this interaction by using a longitudinal cohort of newly diagnosed T2D patients.

The project goal will be achieved through: (1) the organization of a clinical pilot study with L-glutamine supplementation in newly diagnosed T2D patients starting metformin therapy; (2) evaluation of L-glutamine interaction with the gut microbiome, metformin, and host metabolic and inflammatory markers using the data from clinical study and the existing OPTIMED cohort; (3) detailed analysis of the individual and combined effects of metformin and L glutamine using in vitro faecal sample culturing. The results of this study can be further tested in other populations and used in future gut microbiome and antidiabetic therapy algorithm modulation approaches to increase the number of T2D patients reaching their therapeutic goals.

Information published 02.01.2025.