Glutamine promotes triglyceride absorption in a dose-dependent manner.
Dietary proteins may play a role in lipid absorption. Whether amino acids are specifically involved is unknown. We hypothesized that enterally administered L-glutamine (L-Gln) given with a lipid meal increases triglyceride (TG) absorption in rats. Mesenteric lymph fistulae and gastroduodenal feeding tubes were placed in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals received an enteral bolus of Intralipid (5 ml) followed by enteral infusion of increasing concentrations of L-Gln in saline (0, 85, 170, or 340 mM) or equimolar concentrations of the inactive isomer D-Gln or an essential amino acid mixture without Gln. Lymph was collected continuously for 6 h and analyzed for TG content. Animals infused with 85 mM L-Gln had a 64% increase in total TG output vs. controls (P < 0.05) despite no difference in lymph flow rate. Total TG output for animals infused with 340 mM L-Gln declined by 43% vs. controls (P < 0.05). The effect of Gln in promoting lymphatic fat transport is specific to L-Gln and not shared by D-Gln or an equivalent amino acid mixture. L-Gln is capable of either promoting or impairing lymphatic TG transport in a dose-dependent manner.
Schwimmer
Jeffrey B
JB
Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
Ee
Looi
L
Zheng
Shuqin
S
Tso
Patrick
P
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005973:Glutamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects*; D008196:Lymph / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014304:Triolein / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D014280:Triglycerides; D005973:Glutamine; D014304:Triolein