Effect of L-arginine and glutamine on early liver function in rats with severe burn

Objective To observe the effect of L-arginine (L-Arg) and glutamine (Gln) on the early liver function, hepatic vasodilation and endotoxemia in severely burned rats. Methods A total of 180 healthy SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Rat model of severely burn was established in all groups except Group A. Group A and B received intraperitoneal injection of 5 mL normal saline, and Group C, D and E accepted intraperitoneal injection of L-Arg (300 mg/kg), intragastric administration of G1n (300 mg/kg), and the both, respectively. Contents of NO2-/NO3- and endotoxin were measured at 8, 16, 24 and 48 hours. Results Compared with Group A, hepatic NO2-/NO3- levels increased significantly in the other groups at the same timepoint (P0.01 or 0.05), especially in Group C and E. Endotoxin concentrations in portal veins were remarkably higher in Group B than those in other groups at the same timepoint (P0.01), while the lowest levels of endotoxin were found in group E compared with the other groups except Group A. Conclusion In the early stage, combined usage of L-arg and Gln has a good effect on the protection of hepatic function and improvement of endotoxemia in severely burned rats.