The experimental studys on the effect of glutamine in the intestinal barrier function on rats

Xiaoliang SHU

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To study the effect and mechanism of glutamine(Gln) on the intestinal barrier function in rats.

Methods:

Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups(groupⅠ,groupⅡand groupⅢ) of fifteen animals each.Rats of groupⅠ,groupⅡwere fed on normal diet and group Ⅲ was fed on 3% Gln-supplemented diet.The stress model was established in rats of groupⅡand Ⅲ.3 weeks later,the D-lactate,Gln levels in plasma and the contents of corticotropic releasing hormone(CRH),neurotensin(NT) in brain were measured.The morphology of small intestinal protein,DNA contents and its mucosa were observed.

Results:

Compared with control group,stress increased D-lactate level in plasma and reduced plasma glutamine level and the content of protein and DNA in small intestinal mucosa respectively.The small intestine demonstrated evident pathological characteristics under stress.Compared with stress group,D-lactate level in plasma was reduced and DNA content in small intestinal was increased in group Ⅲ.The CRH content in brain tissue was reduced and NT content in brain tissues was increased after Gln-supplemented.The pathological picture of small intestinal mucosa under stress was ameliorated after Gln-supplemented.

Conclusion:

The intestinal barrier function of rats may be protected after Gln-supplementation.Gln-derived neurotransmitters could alleviate the stressful damage of intestinal mucosa.