Effect of alanyl-glutamine supplemented total parenteral nutrition on protein metabolism in burned rats

Objective To evaluate the effect of alanyl-glutamine (Ala-Gln) supplemented total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on protein metabolism in burned rats.Methods Thirty-three SD rats were divided into three groups equally:chow group,conventional TPN group (convention group) and Ala-Gln supplemented TPN group (Ala-Gln group).The chow group received standard chow;the two TPN groups having been placed a central venous catheter and subjected to 30% TBSA Ⅲ° burn received isocaloric (780?kJ·kg -1·d -1 ) and isonitrogenous (1.8?g·kg -1·d -1,48% of nitrogen was supplied with Ala-Gln in Ala-Gln group)TPN for 7 days.Nitrogen balance (NB) and cumulated nitrogen balance (CNB) were monitored.At the end of TPN,serum total protein (TP),albumin (ALB),prealbumin (PAB),transferrin (TRF),Gln in muscle were monitored.Results Serum PAB,TRF,Gln levels in muscle and CNB in Ala-Gln group were significantly higher than those in convention group (P0.01).Conclusions Ala-Gln supplemented TPN in burned rats could promote protein anabolism,improve nitrogen balance and attenuate decline in Gln in muscle.