The Effect of Oral L-glutamine on the Healing of Second-degree Burns in Mice
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Background. The effect of oral L-glutamine on wound healing in two groups of mice with superficial second-degree burns was evaluated.
Methods:
Thirty (30) male mice were included and randomly divided into two groups. First, the mice underwent general anesthesia, then an iron plate heated to 80˚C was placed on each animal's skin for 1 second to create a second-degree burn injury. The test group mice received glutamine powder (1 g/kg/day) dissolved in water; the control group did not receive this supplementation. The variables were weight, burn wound surface area (cm3), wound contraction, and wound healing percentage on days 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, and 22. Serum levels of albumin, urea, and creatinine were assayed on days 1 and 22.
Results:
There was no significant difference between the groups regarding weight or serum albumin, urea, and creatinine levels. However, mean wound contraction was significant between the groups on days 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, and 22. Complete wound healing (100%) was achieved on day 22 in the test group compared to 71% healing in the control group.
Conclusion:
A significant and positive effect of oral glutamine on burn wound healing was found. However, further research is necessary in order to understand which stage of the healing process glutamine supplementation affected .
Insights
Oral L-glutamine supplementation significantly improved burn wound healing in mice. Mice receiving glutamine showed complete wound healing by day 22, compared to partial healing in the control group.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Wound Healing Research
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Superficial second-degree burns present a significant clinical challenge.
- Evaluating the efficacy of nutritional interventions in burn wound recovery is crucial.
- L-glutamine is an amino acid with potential roles in tissue repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of oral L-glutamine on the healing process of superficial second-degree burn wounds in mice.
- To compare wound healing parameters between mice supplemented with L-glutamine and a control group.
Main Methods:
- Thirty male mice were subjected to a standardized second-degree burn injury.
- Mice were randomly assigned to receive either oral L-glutamine (1 g/kg/day) or a placebo.
- Wound surface area, contraction, and healing percentage were monitored over 22 days. Serum albumin, urea, and creatinine were also assessed.
Main Results:
- Oral L-glutamine administration led to significantly enhanced wound contraction compared to the control group.
- Complete wound healing (100%) was observed in the L-glutamine group by day 22.
- No significant differences were noted in body weight or serum biochemical markers between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Oral L-glutamine demonstrates a significant positive effect on accelerating burn wound healing in mice.
- Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms and stages of the healing process influenced by glutamine supplementation.
