title: Glutamine-supplemented total parenteral nutrition improves gut immune function.
abstract: Glutamine has been demonstrated to be an important source of fuel for the gut. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of glutamine-supplemented hyperalimentation on gut immune function. Thirty-six female Fischer rats were randomized into three groups: group 1 (chow) was fed rat chow and water ad libitum, group 2 (total parenteral nutrition) received a standard hyperalimentation formula, and group 3 (total parenteral nutrition-glutamine) received a hyperalimentation solution that contained 2% glutamine. Animals were maintained on their respective diets for 2 weeks and then killed. Mesenteric lymph nodes were harvested for culture, bile was assayed for secretory IgA, and bowel was excised to assay bacterial adherence. Results indicated that glutamine-supplemented total parenteral nutrition protects against bacterial translocation from the gut seen with standard formulas. This effect may be mediated by the secretory IgA immune system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60616.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Alverdy
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aoys
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Moss
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000276:immunology; D001646:Bile / Q000276:immunology; D002432:Cecum / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005973:Glutamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007082:Ileum / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis*; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000382:microbiology; D008643:Mesentery; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344
chemical_list: D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D005973:Glutamine