Effect of Glutamine on Immune Function of Rat with Obstructive Jaundice

Objective To explore the effect of glutamine on immune function of rat with obstructive jaundice and its possible mechanism. Methods Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: Control group (n=10), obstructive jaundice group (n=20) and glutamine treatment group (n=20). The serum concentration of TNF-α, IL-10 was detected by using radioimmune method. Liver function was measured through automated biochemistry analyzer. The animal model of obstructive jaundice was established by ligating the rat's common bile duct. Bacteria cultures were performed with the rat's tissues of lung, spleen, liver and kidney respectively. Resu- lts Compared with control group, obstructive jaundice group showed statistically lower serum level of TNF-α, and statistically higher serum level of IL-10, TBIL, ALT and AST during the first and the second week after ligation of common bile duct. During the first and second week after administration of glutamine, the serum TNF-α of glutamine treatment group was statistically higher than that in control group and obstructive jaundice group. Meanwhile, glutamine treatment group showed statistically lower serum level of IL-10, TBIL, ALT and AST than obstructive jaundice group. There were statistically less bacteria translocations in glutamine treatment group than those in obstructive jaundice group. Conclusion Glutamine can increase the immune function by changing serum concentration of TNF-α, IL-10 and decrease the bacteria translocation.