Abstract: A method of treating a problem relating to tissue metabolism by administering to a patient in need a single dose of glutamine in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also provided is glutamine for the treatment of an injury relating to tissue metabolism and for preventing cardiac cell damage. A therapeutic composition for treating and preventing cellular metabolic injury, preventing cardiac cell damage, and increasing heat shock protein expression where in the therapeutic includes a single dose of glutamine in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is also provided. A method of increasing the expression of heat shock proteins by administering a single dose of glutamine in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to a location in need is further provided.