Effect of L-arginine supplemented enteral nutrition on cellular immunological function in rats with severe head injury

Objectives:The study was designed to observe the effects of L-arginine(Arg) supplemented enteral nutrition on cellular immunological function in rats with severe head injury.Method:The severe head injury of rats was produced by gas percussion.Thirty rats were divided randomly into 3 groups(n=10): normal control group,enteral nutrition(EN)group and EN+Arg group.Rats in groups EN and EN+Arg were supplemented with tyrosine at the does of 0.8g·kg~(-1)·d~(–1)and Arg at the dose of 0.8g·kg~(-1)·d~(–1)for 7days,respectively.Blood samples were collected after 7 days.PMN phagocytosis rate was observed by phagocytosis Candida albicans count.CD4~(+)cells and CD8~(+) cells were analyzed by SABC.The concentration of serum IL-2 level was measured by radioimmunoassay.Results:Decreased cellular immunolgical function was found on 7~(th) day after severe head injury.However,CD4~(+),CD4~(+)/CD8~(+),IL-2 level and PMN phagocytosis rate in EN +Arg group were better than that in EN group.There was significant difference in each immunological index(P0.01).Conclusion:The cellular immunological function of rats is decreased after severe head injury.L-arginine supplemented enteral nutrition can enhance the cellular immunological function.