AIMTo investigate the effects of glutamine on the colonic mucosa of mice subjected to colitis gravis.

METHODS64 Kunming mice were divided randomly into 4 groups (n=16): healthy group: animals not subjected to colitis; model group: animals subjected to colitis gravis but without glutamine supplementation; low-Gln group: animals subjected to colitis gravis and with low dose of glutamine supplementation; high-Gln group: animals subjected to colitis gravis and with high dose of glutamine supplementation. Animals belonging to the control, the low-Gln, the high-Gin groups were subjected to coloclysis by HAC to be colitis gravis animals. When the models were established, the healthy and the control groups were given some isotonic Na chloride by intragastric administration. The low-Gln group and the high-Gln group were given the same volume but different concentration of glutamine(low-Gln group--2 mmol x Kg(-1) bw, high-Gln group--2 mmol x Kg(-1) bw) for 7 days. Then the mice were sacrificed, the pathohistological changes of the colon were observed, besides, the content of endotoxin in the blood serum, the level of counteracting oxidation and the activities of MPO of the colon tissue were determined.

RESULTSThe glutamine lessened the pathological injures in the colon and relieved the step up of the content of endotoxin in the blood serum , the step down level of counteracting oxidation and the step up activity of MPO in the colon tissue, which were caused by colitis gravis.

CONCLUSIONThe glutamine can protect the colon of mice subjected to colitis gravis.