EFFECTS OF ENTERAL SUPPLEMENTATION WITH GLUTAMINE ON INTESTINAL TREFOIL FACTOR EXPRESSION IN RATS AFTER BURN INJURY

Objective: To explore the effects of glutamine enriched enteral nutrition(GLNEN)on intestinal trefoil factor (ITF) expression in burned rats. Methods: Wistar rats were inflicted with 30% total body surface area full thickness burns and randomly divided into three groups: normal enteral nutrition (EN), GLNEN, and normal control(C). The plasma Gln content and expression of ITF in intestine were determined. Results: ITF and ITF mRNA were expressed in whole small intestine and most of them were localized in goblet cell of intestinal villus. After burn injury, plasma Gln content was significantly decreased and the structure of intestinal mucosa was severely damaged as well as the ability of goblet cell synthesis and secretion of ITF, especially ITF dimer was significantly decreased. Gln could lessen the extent of ITF drop though it could not reverse this trend. Meanwhile, as compared with EN, GLNEN could abate intestinal mucosa injury obviously, and there was positive correlation between plasma Gln level and ITF content in intestinal mucosa (r=0.94, P0.01). Conclusion: Gln is beneficial in minimizing intestine injury after burn and promoting intestinal mucosa reparation so it can abate the drop of ITF, especially ITF dimer .