Enteral Glutamine Increases Growth and Absorptive Capacity of Intestinal Mucosa in the Malnourished Rat

Abstract

Background: Glutamine is an important nutrient for the small intestine. Beneficial effects of glutamine could be related to restoration of optimal intestinal barrier functions. Methods: Thirty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to three main groups. Experimental groups (n = 22) were malnourished and laparotomized. Sham groups (n = 11) were laparotomized without prior malnutrition. These groups were refed with or without oral glutamine for 3 days. The control group (n = 5) was given chow. Permeability was assessed by the 6-h urinary recovery of orally given polyethylene glycols, PEG 400/ 1000. Mucosal proliferation was estimated by DNA content and 1-h incorporation of ³H-thymidine intravenously. Results: In the malnourished groups glutamine resulted in higher thymidine incorporation (p < 0.05) and better absorption of small PEG molecules (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The effects of oral glutamine on permeability after malnourishment and laparotomy are proposed to be related to an increase in absorptive area.

Key Words:

• Glutamine
• intestinal mucosa
• malnutrition
• permeability
• polyethylene glycols
• thymidine