Effects of glutamine on intestinal damage of rats with severe acute pancreatitis

Objective To investigate the protective effects of glutamine on intestines in rats with experimental severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Methods Ninety male adult SD rats were randomized into the sham-operated group, SAP group and glutamine-treated group. The plasma level of D-lactic acid was determined. The ICAM-1 expression in the intestines were determined with immunohis-tochemistry and the apoptosis of intestinal mucosal cells by TUNEL. Results In SAP group and glutamine-treated group, there were congestion, edema and point hemorrhage of the pancreas in the rats. The OD values of plasma D-lactic acid at 24, 48 and 72 h after establishment of the SAP model were higher in SAP group than in the other 2 groups. The OD values of expression of ICAM-1 in endothelial cells of the intestines at 24, 48 and 72 h after the establishment of SAP model were markedly higher in SAP group than in sham-operated group but lower than in glutamine-treated group. The number of apoptotic intestinal mucosal cells was remarkably higher in SAP group than in other 2 groups. Conclusions The damage of the gut mucosa barrier in SAP is influenced by manifold factors. Glutamine, as the energy substance of intestines, has protective effects on the intestines in SAP.