No Effect of Bolus Glutamine Supplementation on the Postresectional Adaptation of Small Bowel Mucosa in Rats Receiving Chow ad libitum

Objective: Early postoperative enteral feeding has been reported to stimulate intestinal mucosa proliferation. Dietary components influence the intestinal adaptive response after resection and glutamine is a preferential nutrient to enterocytes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of bolus glutamine supplementation on intestinal adaptation. Methods: Male Wistar rats underwent a 65% small bowel resection. The rats were divided into three groups receiving glutamine 2 g/kg/day, isonitrogenous glycine or saline by gavage for 10 days. All the rats were provided with ordinary rat chow ad libitum. Sampling was done 10 days after resection. Animals fed ordinary rat chow without surgery or specific treatment served as control. Results: Mucosal wet weight, DNA, RNA, protein contents and sucrose activity, as well as villus height increased in the ileal remnant. No significant differences in any of these parameters or body weight could be found between the three groups. Conclusion: Postoperative enteral bolus glutamine supplementation at a dose of 2 g/kg b.w. did not enhance the adaptation of the residual intestine 10 days after massive intestinal resection in the rat.