Effects of glutamine on the evolution of severe acute pancreatitis in rats

Purpose To investigate the effects of glutamine on the evolution of severe acute pancreatitis. Methods Eighty SD rats were randomly allocated to 3 groups: Gln group,SAP group and sham operation group.The rats in Gln and SAP groups were submitted to injection of sodium taurocholate under the pancreatic envelope to induce severe acute pancreatitis and jejunostomy was performed.The Gln group received glutamine and SAP group received saline. While the group had sham operation only. Twenty-four rats in each group were sacrificed 12, 24, 36 hours after the induction of SAP. The histological severity were assessed by Schmidts method. Serum amylase and TNF-α level were measured, and ascites were determined. The apoptosis of pancreatic acinar cells was detected by TUNEL method. Results Necrosis hemorrhage and neutrophil infiltration were observed in the pancreas, the lesions were enhanced in SAP group and were ameliorated in Gln group. Serum amylase increased after the induction of acute panreatitis,Gln group: (6 944.5±798.4) IU/L,SAP group (12 153±2 257) IU/L, the level of TNF-α were lower in Gln group than that in SAP group. Gln group:(176.5±17.65) ng/L, SAP Group:(297.83±36.06) ng/L. The apoptotic rate of pancreatic acinar in the experimental groups were much higher than that in the control group (P0.01),Gln group were higher (13.07±0.62) than SAP group (6.88±0.52) (P0.01). Conclusions Glutamine was shown to be able to ameliorate the pathologic changes in severe acute pancreatitis.