Glutamine-enriched parenteral nutrition for reducing gut bacteria translocation from acute radiation enteritis in rats and its'mechanism

Objective To study the glutamine-enriched parenteral nutrition for reducign gut bacteria translocation from acute radiation enteritis in rats and its' mechanism.Method Whole abdominal radiation was performed in SD rats.The animals were randomly divided into three groups.Standard total parenteral nutrition(STD group,n =10) and glutamine-enriched total parenteral nutrition(GLN group,n =10) received intravenous infusion continuouslly for 7 days,and normals were nonirradiated animals.The other indexes were measured by using the histochemistry,immunohistochemistry,light microscopy,transmission electron microscopy,image analysis system.The percentage of intestinal bacterial translocation and bacteria in mesenteric lymph nodes were measured.Results The measurements of small intestinal DNA and protein contents,the ileum villus height,crypt depth,the thickness of macosa and entire wall of receiving the glutamine-enriched parenteral nutrition had a singnificant increase compared with those from the STD group.Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that the microvillis of ansorptive cells from GLN group increased significantly compared with that the STD group.The frequency of the bacteria found in mesenteric lymph nodes was significantly lower in GLN group compared with STD group.Conclusion The glutamine-enriched parenteral nutrition can reduce gut bacteria translocation.The mechanisms of GLN action could be that:GLN has better nutrition effects on small intestine,the glutamine enhance protein and DNA synthesis,it accelerate healing of the injured small intestinal epithelium,and decrease bacteria translocation from acutely radiation injured bowel.