EFFECT OF GLUTAMINE ON CYSTINE EXCRETION IN A PATIENT WITH CYSTINURIA

SINCE Crawhall et al. reported on the use of D-penicillamine in cystinuria,1 this drug has been thought to provide the best treatment for the disease. The drug converts cystine into more soluble disulfide compounds, thus preventing the formation of calculi. During our study of amino acid reabsorption in cystinuria, glutamine was found to decrease cystine excretion by either increasing reabsorption or decreasing cystine secretion.2 This observation suggested the possible use of glutamine as an alternative to D-penicillamine for the treatment of cystinuria. Case Report A 69-year-old man was considered to have Type II cystinuria,3 because oral loads of cystine decreased. © 1979, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.