Effect of glutamine supplementation on left colon healing in rats with extrahepatic biliary obstruction

Abstract

Intellectual and scientific content of the study, designed the protocol, provided guidelines for the surgical interventions, supervised all phases of the study, manuscript writing, critical revision. ABSTRACT PURPOSE:To evaluate the influence of glutamine and obstructive jaundice on left colon healing in rats. METHODS:Sixteen male rats were allocated across four groups: LG -Common bile duct ligation followed by colotomy and bowel suture on postoperative day 7. Supplementation with glutamine 2% from day 4 after duct ligation until euthanasia. L -Common bile duct ligation followed by colotomy and bowel suture on postoperative day 7. No glutamine supplementation. M -Common bile duct manipulation followed by colotomy and bowel suture on postoperative day 7. No glutamine supplementation. MG -Common bile duct manipulation followed by colotomy and bowel suture on postoperative day 7. Supplementation with glutamine 2% from day 4 after duct manipulation until euthanasia. On the day of euthanasia, bursting pressure of the sutured bowel segment was measured and samples were collected for histopathological analysis. RESULTS:There were no differences in bursting pressure among groups : LG vs. M (110 ± 28 vs. 173 ± 12; p = 0.08). Groups L and MG were not different from group M (156 ± 12 and 118 ± 22. Glutamine supplementation was associated with less edema, polymorphonuclear lymphocyte infiltration, bacterial colonies, and abscess formation, as well as with increased collagen formation. CONCLUSION:Obstructive jaundice had no negative effect and glutamine supplementation had no positive effect on colonic scar strength in rats.

Proline Precursors and Collagen Synthesis: Biochemical Challenges of Nutrient Supplementation and Wound Healing

“…An additional study demonstrated a subjective trend toward less edema and lower neutrophil cell counts as well as less bacterial colonization and abscess formation in a rat colotomy model. Although subjective improvements were reported, burst strength was not different between glutamine-supplemented and control animals (39). Most of the benefits of supplemental glutamine appear to involve improved gut permeability and protein synthesis, normalization of serum levels, and decreased length of hospital stay (40).…”