Protection effect of arginine/glutamine on intestinal barrier in rats receiving 5-FU chemotherapy

Objective To investigate the protective effect of glutamine(Gln)and arginine(Arg)on intestinal barrier in rats receiving 5-FU chemotherapy.Methods Forty male SD rats receiving 5-FU chemotherapy were randomly divided into four groups: (1)STD group:(enteral nutrition);(2)Arg group:(enteral nutrition+Arg);(3)Gln group:(enteral nutrition+Gln);(4) chow group:chow adlibirum).The changes after chemotherapy,such as bodyweight and lactulose/mannitol urine were obeserved. At the 8th day,endotoxin level in portal vein was measured,lymph nodes and blood in portal vein were taken for bacterial culture,colon and jejunum were also sampled to measure the height of jejunum villi,the thickness of colon and jejunum.Results The body weight,lactulose/mannitol,and endotoxin levels,height of jejunum villi,thickness of colon and jejunum in Gln arid Arg groups were significantly higher than those in STD group.Body weight,lactulose/mannitol,and endotoxin leves,height of jejunum villi,and thickness of colon in Gln group was significantly higher than those in chow group.Endotoxin level in Arg group was significantly higher than that in chow group.Endotoxin level in Gln group was significantly higher than that in Arg group.The results of bacterial culture were not significantly different.Conclusions Arg and Gln have the protective effect on intestinal barrier in rats receiving 5-FU chemotherapy and the effects was higher that in chow group.The protective effect of Gln was stronger than that in Arg group.