Effect of glutamine supplementation on left colon healing in rats with extrahepatic biliary obstruction

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of glutamine and obstructive jaundice on left colon healing in rats.

Methods: Sixteen male rats were allocated across four groups: LG--Common bile duct ligation followed by colotomy and bowel suture on postoperative day 7. Supplementation with glutamine 2% from day 4 after duct ligation until euthanasia. L--Common bile duct ligation followed by colotomy and bowel suture on postoperative day 7. No glutamine supplementation. M--Common bile duct manipulation followed by colotomy and bowel suture on postoperative day 7. No glutamine supplementation. MG--Common bile duct manipulation followed by colotomy and bowel suture on postoperative day 7. Supplementation with glutamine 2% from day 4 after duct manipulation until euthanasia. On the day of euthanasia, bursting pressure of the sutured bowel segment was measured and samples were collected for histopathological analysis.

Results: There were no differences in bursting pressure among groups : LG vs. M (110 ± 28 vs. 173 ± 12; p = 0.08). Groups L and MG were not different from group M (156 ± 12 and 118 ± 22. Glutamine supplementation was associated with less edema, polymorphonuclear lymphocyte infiltration, bacterial colonies, and abscess formation, as well as with increased collagen formation.

Conclusion: Obstructive jaundice had no negative effect and glutamine supplementation had no positive effect on colonic scar strength in rats.