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Published in: Pediatric Surgery International 3/2012

01-03-2012 | Original Article

Glutamine prevents intestinal mucosal injury induced by cyclophosphamide in rats

Authors: Mitsugu Owari, Masafumi Wasa, Takaharu Oue, Satoko Nose, Masahiro Fukuzawa

Published in: Pediatric Surgery International | Issue 3/2012

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Abstract

Purpose

High doses of anticancer drugs often damage the intestinal mucosa. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of glutamine on mucosal damage induced by cyclophosphamide in a rat model, and to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for its protective effects.

Method

Rats were randomly assigned to one of the three experimental groups. Group A (control) (n = 8): intraperitoneal injection of saline, group B (n = 8): intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (300 mg/kg), group C (n = 8): intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (300 mg/kg) and oral glutamine (1.0 g/kg). After 3 days, the ileal segment was removed for morphological and the biochemical analyses. We also evaluated the level of mucosal apoptosis by the TUNEL method and enterocyte proliferation using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU).

Results

Mucosal atrophy was observed in group B but not in groups A or C. The mucosal wet weight, protein and glutathione levels were significantly decreased in group B compared with group A, and were increased significantly in group C compared with group B. While enterocyte proliferation significantly decreased and the apoptotic index significantly increased in group B compared with group A, a significant increase in the enterocyte proliferation and a significant decrease in apoptosis were observed in group C compared with group B.

Conclusions

Glutamine prevented intestinal mucosal injury induced by cyclophosphamide via increased glutathione, decreased apoptosis and increased proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells.
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Metadata
Title
Glutamine prevents intestinal mucosal injury induced by cyclophosphamide in rats
Authors
Mitsugu Owari
Masafumi Wasa
Takaharu Oue
Satoko Nose
Masahiro Fukuzawa
Publication date
01-03-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Pediatric Surgery International / Issue 3/2012
Print ISSN: 0179-0358
Electronic ISSN: 1437-9813
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-011-3023-0

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