Glutamic Acid
| Evidence Level: L4 | Predicted Indications: 10 |
Table of Contents
Glutamic Acid: From Parenteral Nutrition Component to Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
One-Sentence Summary
Glutamic acid is an amino acid that is a component of amino acid infusion products marketed in Singapore, and the data compiled for this report do not state a specific approved indication. The TxGNN model predicts it may be effective for postmenopausal osteoporosis, but there are no clinical trials and the 10 publications retrieved are only indirectly related (mostly about vitamin K or vitamin D, or about different compounds). The high model score is a prediction, not clinical evidence.
Quick Overview
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Original Indication | Not stated in the licence data; marketed as a component of parenteral amino acid and nutrition infusion products |
| Predicted New Indication | Postmenopausal osteoporosis |
| TxGNN Prediction Score | 99.34% |
| Evidence Level | L4 |
| Singapore Market Status | ✓ Marketed |
| Number of Registrations | 7 |
| Recommended Decision | Hold |
Why is This Prediction Reasonable?
Detailed mechanism of action data is not available. Based on known information, glutamic acid is a naturally occurring amino acid delivered in multi-amino-acid infusion solutions, and these products are used for nutritional support. Its role in osteoporosis is not established.
The plausible link is indirect. Vitamin K enables gamma-carboxylation of glutamate residues in bone proteins such as osteocalcin, and vitamin K2 is used in osteoporosis treatment in Japan. However, this shows that glutamate residues within proteins matter in bone biology. It does not show that supplying free glutamic acid benefits bone.
The direct support is limited to one animal study (PMID 26144993), in which glutamic acid reduced estrogen-deficiency-induced menopausal-like symptoms in ovariectomized mice. A small human study examined poly-gamma-glutamic acid, a different polymer, on calcium absorption. The high TxGNN score therefore remains a hypothesis to be tested.
Clinical Trial Evidence
Currently no related clinical trials registered.
Literature Evidence
No randomized trial of glutamic acid in osteoporosis was found. The most relevant items are listed below.
| PMID | Year | Type | Journal | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26144993 | 2015 | Animal study | Nutrition Research | Glutamic acid ameliorated estrogen-deficiency-induced menopausal-like symptoms in ovariectomized mice |
| 18187428 | 2007 | Small human physiological study | J Am Coll Nutr | Acute effect of poly-gamma-glutamic acid (not glutamic acid) on calcium absorption in postmenopausal women |
| 34529430 | 2021 | Preclinical | Nano Letters | Bone-targeting polymer vesicles (containing glutamic acid polymer) delivering estradiol for osteoporosis |
| 14529146 | 2003 | Review/clinical | Keio J Med | Vitamin D3 and/or vitamin K2 treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis (not glutamic acid) |
| 14584089 | 2003 | Clinical/review | Yonsei Med J | Vitamin K2 combined with bisphosphonates in postmenopausal osteoporosis (not glutamic acid) |
| 19172219 | 2009 | Randomized study (n=109) | J Bone Miner Metab | Menatetrenone (vitamin K2) increased osteocalcin gamma-carboxylation in postmenopausal osteoporosis (not glutamic acid) |
| 40950804 | 2025 | Observational | J Diabetes Metab Disord | Amino acid profiles, aging and sex hormones in elderly Iranian population |
Singapore Market Information
All 7 authorizations are single-ingredient, valid licences. The data compiled for this report contain no approved-indication text for them.
| Authorization Number | Product Name | Dosage Form | Approved Indication |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIN08352P | Aminoplasmal-15% Infusion | Injection | Not stated |
| SIN07846P | Trophamine Injection 10% | Injection | Not stated |
| SIN07428P | Vaminolact Intravenous Solution | Injection | Not stated |
| SIN15411P | Aminoplasmal B.Braun 10% E Solution for Infusion | Infusion, solution | Not stated |
| SIN16734P | Nutriflex Omega Special B. Braun Emulsion for Infusion | Injection, emulsion | Not stated |
Two further licences are registered: SIN15469P (Nutriflex Omega Special) and SIN15468P (Nutriflex Omega Plus). All are injectable or infusion forms.
Safety Considerations
- Disease associations flagged in the knowledge graph (not label text): kidney disease (including chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal failure), nephrolithiasis, hypercalcemia and related calcium or phosphorus disorders, hyperparathyroidism, sarcoidosis, heart and cardiovascular disease, digitalis poisoning, ventricular fibrillation, phenylketonuria and other disorders of phenylalanine metabolism. These need clinical verification and are not confirmed label contraindications.
- Drug Interactions: Five moderate-level interactions were identified, all with amphetamine-type drugs: amphetamine, benzphetamine, dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine and metamfetamine.
For the package insert warnings and contraindications, please refer to the product labelling.
Theoretical concerns also apply to the predicted indications. Glutamate excitotoxicity is implicated in retinal ganglion cell damage, which argues against use in glaucoma. The pregnancy setting adds safety concerns.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Decision: Hold
Rationale: There are no clinical trials, and the literature is indirect: it concerns vitamin K, vitamin D and different glutamate compounds, with only one mouse study on glutamic acid itself. The evidence is at the mechanism or preclinical level (L4), and the knowledge-graph flags for renal, calcium and cardiac disease add safety questions for a bone indication.
The other predicted indications (pregnancy-associated osteoporosis, glaucoma, gastroparesis, dyspepsia and others) are supported by prediction only (L5) and are also on Hold.
To proceed, the following is needed:
- Package insert warnings and contraindications from the Singapore HSA, to complete safety screening
- Mechanism of action data
- Preclinical confirmation of a bone benefit from glutamic acid itself, in bone density and bone turnover models
- Assessment of whether an injectable nutrition product is a suitable route for chronic osteoporosis treatment
- A clinical safety review of the renal, calcium-metabolism and cardiac flags before any human study
Disclaimer
This content is for research purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical validation is required before any clinical application.