Enteral glutamine pretreatment does not decrease plasma endotoxin level induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether oral glutamine pretreatment prevents impairment of intestinal mucosal integrity during ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.


METHODS
The study was performed as two series with 40 rats in each. Each series of animals was divided into four groups. The first group was used as a control. Animals in the second group were only pretreated with oral glutamine, 1 g/kg for 4 d. The third group received a normal diet, and underwent intestinal I/R, while the fourth group was pretreated with oral glutamine in the same way, and underwent intestinal I/R. Intestinal mucosal permeability to (51)Cr-labeled EDTA was measured in urine in the first series of animals. In the second series, histopathological changes in intestinal tissue and plasma endotoxin levels were evaluated.


RESULTS
Intestinal I/R produced a significant increase in intestinal permeability, plasma endotoxin level and worsened histopathological alterations. After intestinal I/R, permeability was significantly lower in glutamine-treated rats compared to those which received a normal diet. However, no significant change was observed in plasma endotoxin levels or histopathological findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Although glutamine pretreatment seems to be protective of intestinal integrity, upon I/R injury, such an effect was not observable in the histopathological changes or plasma endotoxin level.
Demirkan
Arda
A
Ankara University, School of Medicine, Ibni Sina Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey. ardademirkan@superonline.com
Orazakunov
Erkin
E
Savaş
Berna
B
Kuzu
M Ayhan
MA
Melli
Mehmet
M
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005973:Glutamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control
D004731:Endotoxins; D005973:Glutamine