[Effects of enteral supplementation with glutamine on mitochondria respiratory function of intestinal epithelium in burned rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of enteral supplementation with glutamine on mitochondria respiratory function of intestinal epithelium in burned rats.

Methods: Wistar rats inflicted with 30% total body surface area (TBSA) full thickness thermal injury were randomly divided into three groups, i.e. burn with enteral nutrition (EN), burn with glutamine treatment (GLN), and normal control (C) groups. Burned rats were infused 732.2 kJ.kg-1.d-1 solution for intravenous nutrition and oral administration, in which the supply energy ratio of glucose, fat and protein was 55:30:15 respectively, glucose was 15.3% and the proportion of calorie to nitrogen was 183:1. The following indices including respiratory control rate (RCR), oxygen extraction (Oext), P/O ratio and intestine mucosal blood flow (IMBF) were measured on postburn days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10.

Results: After burn injury, the RCR, Oext, P/O ratio, and IMBF were significant decreased in both EN and GLN groups, but all above indices were markedly increased in GLN group compared to those in EN group.

Conclusion: After burn injury, the IMBF and Oext were declined, resulting in mitochondria respiratory oxidative dysfunction and phosphorylation discoupling in intestinal epithelium. GLN supplementation appears to be beneficial to improving IMBF, increasing Oext, abating the extent of mitochondria respiration dysfunction, and promoting oxidative phosphorylation.