[Protective effect of glutamine on rats with pseudomonas pneumonia]

To investigate the protective effect of glutamine in rats with pseudomonas pneumonia receiving total parenteral nutritional (TPN) therapy.Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (Group A, B, C and D). Rats in Group A received, by intra-tracheal route, infusion of 0.3 ml normal saline. Rats in Group B received, also by intra-tracheal route, infusion of 0.3 ml pseudomonas aeruginosa soliquoid so that the bacteria entered the lungs directly. A standard TPN solution not containing glutamine was administered intravenously to rats in Group C (160 ml/kg) for 5 days, and a TPN solution containing glutamine was administered intravenously to rats in Group D (160 ml/kg) for 5 days. On day 6, 0.3 ml pseudomonas aeruginosa soliquoid was administered by intra-tracheal route to rats in Group C and D. The weight of rats, their activity and mortality were recorded. 48 h after intratracheal administration, blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were collected for measurement of white blood cell count, TNFalpha, IL-1, IL-10 and total protein of BALF. Segments of the lung, the liver and the ileum tissues were collected for HE pathological slice.(1) Initially there was no difference in weight between the four groups, but on day 8 the weights of rats in Group B, C, and D were significantly decreased compared with that in Group A (P0.05). The mortality of rats in Group C was significantly higher than that in Group B and D (P0.05). (2) There were significant differences between Group C and D in white blood cell count, blood TNFalpha and IL-10 level, BALF, and total protein of BALF (P0.05). (3) Pathological changes of the lung, the liver and ileum in Group C were more severe than that in Group B and D. Group A was basically normal.Glutamine is able to protect gastrointestinal tract function in rats receiving TPN, to improve pulmonary anti-infection ability, and to alleviate injuries of important organs caused by severe infection.