Rapid Communication
Copyright ©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 21, 2008; 14(3): 463-468
Published online Jan 21, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.463
Enteral glutamine pretreatment does not decrease plasma endotoxin level induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats
Arda Demirkan, Erkin Orazakunov, Berna Savas, M Ayhan Kuzu, Mehmet Melli
Arda Demirkan, Department of Emergency Medicine, Ankara University, School of Medicine, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey
Erkin Orazakunov, M Ayhan Kuzu, Department of General Surgery, Ankara University, School of Medicine, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey
Berna Savas, Department of Pathology, Ankara University, School of Medicine, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey
Mehmet Melli, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Ankara University, School of Medicine, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey
Correspondence to: Arda Demirkan, MD, Ankara University, School of Medicine, Ibni Sina Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sihhiye 06100, Ankara, Turkey. ardademirkan@superonline.com
Telephone: +90-312-5083030
Fax: +90-312-5083032
Received: July 8, 2007
Revised: October 30, 2007
Published online: January 21, 2008
Abstract

AIM: To investigate whether oral glutamine pretreatment prevents impairment of intestinal mucosal integrity during ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.

METHODS: The study was performed as two series with 40 rats in each. Each series of animals was divided into four groups. The first group was used as a control. Animals in the second group were only pretreated with oral glutamine, 1 g/kg for 4 d. The third group received a normal diet, and underwent intestinal I/R, while the fourth group was pretreated with oral glutamine in the same way, and underwent intestinal I/R. Intestinal mucosal permeability to 51Cr-labeled EDTA was measured in urine in the first series of animals. In the second series, histopathological changes in intestinal tissue and plasma endotoxin levels were evaluated.

RESULTS: Intestinal I/R produced a significant increase in intestinal permeability, plasma endotoxin level and worsened histopathological alterations. After intestinal I/R, permeability was significantly lower in glutamine-treated rats compared to those which received a normal diet. However, no significant change was observed in plasma endotoxin levels or histopathological findings.

CONCLUSION: Although glutamine pretreatment seems to be protective of intestinal integrity, upon I/R injury, such an effect was not observable in the histopathological changes or plasma endotoxin level.

Keywords: Endotoxin; Glutamine; Intestinal permeability; Ischemia-reperfusion injury