Protecting action of L-glutamine on intestinal mucosal damage in severely burned rats

Objective: To investigate the protecting effect of L-glutamine (GLN) on intestinal mucosal damage in severe burn of rats. Methods: 20 Wistar rats subjected to 30% TBSA full thickness burns were randomly divided into GLN group (n =10) and NON-GLN group ( n =10). Forage enriched with 1.5%GLN was fed to GLN group and equal amount of glutamine free forage was given to NON-GLN group. Seven days later, all rats were killed. Under aseptic condition, the mesenteric lymph nodes were harvested, weighed, homogenized and cultured. Bacterial translocation rate was evaluated. Portal vein plasma endotoxin levels were determined with chromogenic limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) technique. Terminal ileum specimens were sampled for histological examination and microscopical image scanning analysis. Results: Thickness of mucosa, height of villus and depth of crypt decreased more obviously in NON-GLN group than those in GLN group. The levels of plasma endotoxin and the bacterial translocation incidence were decreased obviously in GLN group in comparison with those in NON-GLN group. Conclusion: It is suggested that oral feeding of GLN can maintain the mucosa integrity effectively in severely burned rats and effectively decrease gut-originated bacterial/endotoxin translocation.