Background: Since aging affects the immune responses against vaccination, the present study evaluated the effects of L-glutamine (Gln) supplementation in the humoral and cellular immune responses in elderly subjects, practitioners or not, of physical exercise training. Methods: Eighty-four elderly people (aged 72.6 ± 6.1), non-practitioners (NP, n = 31), and practitioners of combined-exercise training (CET, n = 53) were submitted to Influenza virus vaccination and supplemented with Gln (0.3 g/kg of weight + 10 g of maltodextrin, groups: NP-Gln (n = 14), and CET-Gln (n = 26)), or placebo (10 g of maltodextrin, groups: NP-PL (n = 17), and CET-PL (n = 27)). Blood samples were collected pre (baseline) and 30 days post-vaccination and supplementation. Results: Comparing with the baseline values, whereas the NP-Gln and CET-PL groups showed higher specific-IgM levels, the CET-Gln group showed higher specific-IgM and IgA levels post-vaccination. The titer rate of hemagglutination inhibition was higher in the CET-Gln, NP-PL, and NP-Gln groups post-vaccination than baseline values. The absolute number of naive and effector CD4+ T cells was higher especially in the NP-Gln and CET-Gln groups, whilst activated CD4+ T cells were higher in CET subgroups post-vaccination. Conclusion: Our results showed that both l-glutamine supplementation and combined-exercise training can improve the immune responses to the Influenza virus vaccine in elderly subjects.

Background: Although glutamine is able to improve the immune response, its action in the upper airway immunity against the influenza virus vaccine remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the L-glutamine supplementation effect on the mucosal immune/inflammatory response of elderly subjects vaccinated against the influenza virus. Methods: Saliva sampling from 83 physically active elderly volunteers were collected pre- and 30 days after influenza virus vaccination and supplementation with L-glutamine (Gln, n = 42) or placebo (PL, n = 41). Results: Gln group showed higher salivary levels of interleukin (IL)-17, total secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), and specific-SIgA post-vaccination than values found pre-vaccination and in the PL group post-vaccination. Whereas higher salivary levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were observed post-vaccination in the Gln group, IL-37 levels were lower post-vaccination in both groups than the values pre-vaccination. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were unchanged. Positive correlations between IL-6 and IL-10 were found in all volunteer groups pre- and post-vaccination and also between IL-17 and IL-6 or IL-10 in the Gln group post-vaccination. A negative correlation between IL-37 and IL-10 was found pre- and post-vaccination in the PL group. Conclusion: Gln supplementation was able to modulate salivary cytokine profile and increase SIgA levels, both total and specific to the influenza virus vaccine, in physically active elderly subjects.

Background: Investigate the effectiveness of the scientific 4 Phases Method, a methodology developed by EMAGRECENTRO, which is based on a ketogenic approach (total carbohydrate intake <40 g/day; including fibers) associated with health coach assistance, in promoting reductions in body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference after 5 weeks of methodology application. Methods: Record files from 354 individuals, both sexes, aged between 18 and 67, who took part in the 4 Phases Method were used to develop this study. Age, sex, weight, height, BMI, waist circumference measurement, and the presence of ketone bodies in the urine were evaluated before (baseline) and after 5 weeks of the 4 Phases application. Results: In general, a significant reduction in body weight (−7.8 ± 1.2 kg, p < 0.0001), BMI (−2.8 ± 0.4 kg/m², p < 0.0001), and waist circumference measurement (−7.6 ± 0.4 cm, p < 0.0001) was found after the application of the 4 Phases Method, regardless of age, gender, and BMI. Conclusions: Taken together, our results demonstrated that the 4 Phases Method was able to promote significant body weight, BMI, and waist circumference reductions in the short term, particularly by associating a ketogenic intake strategy with a regular close follow-up weekly consultation with a health coach assistance.