Glutamine influence on liver regeneration

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this work is to establish a precise relation between the use of glutamine and hepatic regeneration. Methods: 37 rats of the Wistar ancestry were used, females, with age of 120 days and weight between 345±80 grams, which were divided in a control group (C), with 17 animals, and an experimental group (E), with 20 animals. Approximately 70% of the liver was surgically removed in these two groups. 50 μg of glutamine/day was managed, orally, diluted in 1 ml of distilled water, managed by daily gavage in the experimental group. In the control group, distilled water was managed in equivalent volume. The contings were made in the periods of 24 hours and 7 days, by 3 methods: Formula of KWON et al. to recognize volume gain, mitoses fi gures counting in 5 fields and PCNA positive nucleus percentage in 5 fields. Results: The remainder hepatic tissue gained greater volume in the two groups as much in the period of 24 hours (p>0,05), as in 7 days (p=0,0518). The histological cuts have disclosed more figures of mitoses in 24 hours, as much in the group control as in the group experiment. The counting of positive nucleus PCNA, in 24 hours, was bigger in the livers cuts of the experiment group in relation to the group control (p<0,001); although it has not presented great changes, in 7 days, in both the groups (p>0,05). Conclusion: The supplementation of glutamine to the diet leads to the biggest response of hepatocytes within 24 hours. Consequently, it is benefi cial for hepatic regeneration.