Plasma and jejunal glutamine levels after extensive small bowel resection in dogs

Recent studies have demonstrated that glutamine may be required for mucosal growth and that it is widely utilised by the intestinal tract after surgery. This study has evaluated the effect of massive small bowel resection on plasma and jejunal glutamine and related amino-acids level evolution after surgery. Transection was performed in 6 dogs (control group) and enterectomy in 10 dogs leaving 25cm of jejunum, associated with colectomy (group 1). Plasma glutamine levels decreased on D2 (p = 0.03) in the resected group while a significant decrease of plasma alanine levels was observed on D2 (p = 0.002), D4, D6 and D8 (p < 0.001). Intestinal mucosa glutamic acid content was increased on D8 in this group (p < 0.001). No changes were observed in the control group. These results suggest that glutamine is a required substrate after massive small bowel resection which could improve the intestinal adaptation encountered after enterectomy.