[The protective effect of recombinant glucagons like peptide-2 on intestinal mucosa of burn rats].

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of recombinant glucagons like peptide-2 (GLP-2) on intestinal mucosa of rats with severe burns.

Methods: SD rats of either sex were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control (N, n = 6), burn control group (C, n = 6), recombinant GLP-2 group (Gr, n = 6, with subcutaneous injection of 100 nmol x kg(-1) x d(-1) recombinant GLP-2 at 4 post-burn hours (PBH) and synthesized GLP-2 group (G, n = 6, with subcutaneous injection of 100 nmol x kg(-1) x d(-1) synthesized GLP-2 at 4 PBH). Except the normal control group, all animals in the other groups received a 30% TBSA third degree burns, the rats were sacrificed on 7 postburn days (PBD) and the following indexes were determined: pathological examination of intestinal mucosa, mucosa permeability of intestinal mucosa, the ratio of mucosa wet weight and bowel mass or carcase weight, and the protein content of intestinal mucosa.

Results: Compared with that in burn group [(0.350 +/- 0.040) mg/ml], the mucosa permeability significantly decreased in Gr (0.250 +/- 0.026) mg/ml and G (0.243 +/- 0.008) mg/ml groups, while the ratio of mucosa wet weight and carcase weight, the protein content of intestinal mucosa were significantly increased. In addition, the content of intestinal mucosal protein in Gr group [(57.9 +/- 2.8) mg/g wet weight] was higher than that in G group [(48.9 +/- 4.1) mg/g wet weight]. In contrast to normal controls, the villi of intestinal mucosa in rats on 7 PBD were obviously shortened and exfoliated, with deranged disposition and thinned basal membrane. No obvious difference of the injury was observed between Gr and G groups, and the injury was milder when compared with burn group.

Conclusion: Recombinant GLP-2, as well as synthesized GLP-2, exhibits obvious protective effect on intestinal mucosa in alleviating injury to intestinal mucosa in burn rats.