[Protective effect of glutamine on rats with pseudomonas pneumonia]
Xian-yao Wan1, Li-yan Bi, Yong-li Zhang
1Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China. wxy-1-1@163.com
Objective:
To investigate the protective effect of glutamine in rats with pseudomonas pneumonia receiving total parenteral nutritional (TPN) therapy.
Methods:
Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (Group A, B, C and D). Rats in Group A received, by intra-tracheal route, infusion of 0.3 ml normal saline. Rats in Group B received, also by intra-tracheal route, infusion of 0.3 ml pseudomonas aeruginosa soliquoid so that the bacteria entered the lungs directly. A standard TPN solution not containing glutamine was administered intravenously to rats in Group C (160 ml/kg) for 5 days, and a TPN solution containing glutamine was administered intravenously to rats in Group D (160 ml/kg) for 5 days. On day 6, 0.3 ml pseudomonas aeruginosa soliquoid was administered by intra-tracheal route to rats in Group C and D. The weight of rats, their activity and mortality were recorded. 48 h after intratracheal administration, blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were collected for measurement of white blood cell count, TNFalpha, IL-1, IL-10 and total protein of BALF. Segments of the lung, the liver and the ileum tissues were collected for HE pathological slice.
Results:
(1) Initially there was no difference in weight between the four groups, but on day 8 the weights of rats in Group B, C, and D were significantly decreased compared with that in Group A (P < 0.05). The mortality of rats in Group C was significantly higher than that in Group B and D (P < 0.05). (2) There were significant differences between Group C and D in white blood cell count, blood TNFalpha and IL-10 level, BALF, and total protein of BALF (P < 0.05). (3) Pathological changes of the lung, the liver and ileum in Group C were more severe than that in Group B and D. Group A was basically normal.
Conclusion:
Glutamine is able to protect gastrointestinal tract function in rats receiving TPN, to improve pulmonary anti-infection ability, and to alleviate injuries of important organs caused by severe infection.
