OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of recombinant glucagons like peptide-2 (GLP-2) on intestinal mucosa of rats with severe burns.

METHODSSD rats of either sex were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control (N, n = 6), burn control group (C, n = 6), recombinant GLP-2 group (Gr, n = 6, with subcutaneous injection of 100 nmol x kg(-1) x d(-1) recombinant GLP-2 at 4 post-burn hours (PBH) and synthesized GLP-2 group (G, n = 6, with subcutaneous injection of 100 nmol x kg(-1) x d(-1) synthesized GLP-2 at 4 PBH). Except the normal control group, all animals in the other groups received a 30% TBSA third degree burns, the rats were sacrificed on 7 postburn days (PBD) and the following indexes were determined: pathological examination of intestinal mucosa, mucosa permeability of intestinal mucosa, the ratio of mucosa wet weight and bowel mass or carcase weight, and the protein content of intestinal mucosa.

RESULTSCompared with that in burn group [(0.350 +/- 0.040) mg/ml], the mucosa permeability significantly decreased in Gr (0.250 +/- 0.026) mg/ml and G (0.243 +/- 0.008) mg/ml groups, while the ratio of mucosa wet weight and carcase weight, the protein content of intestinal mucosa were significantly increased. In addition, the content of intestinal mucosal protein in Gr group [(57.9 +/- 2.8) mg/g wet weight] was higher than that in G group [(48.9 +/- 4.1) mg/g wet weight]. In contrast to normal controls, the villi of intestinal mucosa in rats on 7 PBD were obviously shortened and exfoliated, with deranged disposition and thinned basal membrane. No obvious difference of the injury was observed between Gr and G groups, and the injury was milder when compared with burn group.

CONCLUSIONRecombinant GLP-2, as well as synthesized GLP-2, exhibits obvious protective effect on intestinal mucosa in alleviating injury to intestinal mucosa in burn rats.