The effect of L-glutamine on mucosal healing in experimental colitis is superior to short-chain fatty acids.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The effects of short-chain fatty acids and glutamine on diseased colonic mucosa, such as in inflammatory bowel disease, are not well described. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of L-glutamine and short-chain fatty acids, both via enema and oral administration, on mucosal healing in experimental colitis.

METHODS

Colitis was induced with trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid in ethanol enema in rats. Saline enema (Colitis group, n: 12), L-glutamine enema (n: 12), short-chain fatty acids enema (n: 12), oral L-glutamine (n:11) and oral short-chain fatty acids (n.11) were applied twice daily for 10 days after induction of colitis. The sham group (n: 12) received only saline enema. Rats were sacrificed at the tenth day. Crypt depth and DNA content were measured in colonic mucosa.

RESULTS

Crypt depth was significantly greater in both glutamine groups and short-chain fatty acids enema group than in sham and colitis groups (p<0.05). The mucosal DNA contents of the colitis and glutamine enema groups were significantly greater than both short-chain fatty acids groups (p<0.05). DNA content in the oral glutamine group was significantly greater than in the short-chain fatty acids enema group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

L-glutamine enema can accelerate mucosal healing and regeneration in experimentally induced colitis in rats. When compared to glutamine in this study, short-chain fatty acids showed no beneficial effect on colitis.