Cell transplantation is a promising technology in cancer therapy, however, immunological rejection is the major problem of cell transplantation. Based on the permselective property of microcapsule membrane, encapsulated cells can be immuno-protected. The normal physiological state and function expression of cells can be maintained so as to realize allo- or xenotransplantation. The microencapsulated cells grow in three dimensions, giving a more biologically representative in vivo model, which hints difference in characters of growth and metabolism compared to the monolayer cells. Therefore, characterization of growth and metabolism of microencapsulated recombinant CHO cells is essential for further large-scale culture. In present study, the effect of concentration of glutamine on the growth, metabolism and endostatin production of microencapsulated cells was investigated. In the experimental range of initial glutamine concentrations from 2.69mmol/L to 9.05mmol/L in the culture of microencapsulated recombinant CHO cells, the maximum density of active cells and multiplication ratios almost kept constant. The specific consumption rate of glucose increased with lower initial glutamine concentration (2.69mmol/L). When initial glutamine concentration was much higher (7.91mmol/L to approximately 9.05mmol/L), the specific consumption rates of both glucose and glutamine increased while the efficiencies of glucose and glutamine decreased. The highest efficiencies of glucose and glutamine utilization were observed with initial glutamine concentration of 4.97mmol/L. It was also demonstrated that glutamine had significant effect on the accumulation of endostatin. The accumulative concentration of endostain reached its peak of 546.36 ng/mL with the initial glutamine concentration of 4.97mmol/L.