OBJECTIVETo explore the role of glutamine in LPS and D-Gal induced acute hepatic injury.

METHODSA total of 61 Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, model group and GLN pretreated group. The animal model was established by LPS and D-Gal intraperitoneal injection. GLN at dose of 1 g/kg was intragastrically administrated for 7 d before intraperitoneal injection. To evaluate the hepatic injury, the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBiL) were detected by automatic biochemistry analysator. The liver and bowel tissue was observed by lightmicroscope and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The apoptosis of hepatocyte was detected by TUNEL. HPLC-PED was used in the study of intestinal permeability.

RESULTSNo significant differences were noted between ALT, AST, TBIL level, death rate and intestinal permeability (L/M) between model group and GLN pretreated group; In microscope, the confused structure of hepatic injury and inflammatory infiltration were similar between model group and GLN pretreated group. The injury of bowel was not obviously. Compared with the model group, there was better trend in liver and bowel in GLN pretreated group by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The apoptosis index in GLN pretreated group were lower than those in model group.

CONCLUSIONLPS can induce acute liver injury in D-Gal-sensitized rats.Glutamine has't the trend of protecting liver function and intestinal barrier function,decreasing death rates.