[The effect of glutamine on cholestasis caused by total parenteral nutrition]

Glutamine is a tissue specific nutrient but not contained in standard TPN solution. To evaluate the effect of L-glutamine on TPN-induced cholestasis, 40 female Wistar rats were divided randomly into control or experimental groups. The rats were further subgrouped according to the days of observation and all received isocaloric (1008kJ.kg-1 x d-1) and isonitrogenous (1.22g.kg-1 x d-1) TPN support. 1% L-glutamine was given to the experimental group. Serum total bilirubin, albumin, lipoprotein X, r-GT, AKP and TG were determined on the day before study and 6th or 10th day after TPN. Before sacrifice, liver biopsies were taken for both light and electronic microscopic examinations, and the specimen of small intestine token for histologic evaluation. The results showed that the addition of glutamine to TPN solution can remarkably decrease the incidence, or ameliorate TPN induced cholestasis, and prevent small intestinal mucosal atrophy.