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Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease 12/2007

01-12-2007 | Original Article

Role of l-glutamine and glycine supplementation on irradiated colonic wall

Authors: Cristina F. Diestel, Ruy G. Marques, Francisco Lopes-Paulo, Daurita Paiva, Nara L. Horst, Carlos Eduardo R. Caetano, Margareth C. Portela

Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease | Issue 12/2007

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Abstract

Background and aims

Radiotherapy is frequently used for cancer treatment, but it may be associated with several complications. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the role of l-glutamine and/or glycine supplementation on the colonic wall in rats submitted to abdominal radiation.

Materials and methods

Sixty adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: I—healthy, II (control)—irradiated rats without amino acid supplementation, III—irradiated rats with glycine supplementation, IV—irradiated rats with l-glutamine supplementation, V—irradiated rats with glycine supplementation 7 days before irradiation and with l-glutamine supplementation 7 days after irradiation, and VI—irradiated rats with l-glutamine supplementation 7 days before irradiation and with glycine supplementation 7 days after irradiation. Abdominal irradiation was employed with a dose of 1,000 cGy on the eighth day of the experiment. All animals underwent laparotomy on the 15th day for resection of a colonic segment for stereologic analysis. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used for statistical analysis, with the level of significance set at p ≤ 0.05.

Results

Control animals (group II) presented a significantly smaller total volume of colonic wall when compared to animals of groups I, III, IV, V, and VI. There was a significant increase in mucosal layer volume in the animals of group IV compared to animals of groups I, II, and III.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that l-glutamine and/or glycine supplementation is beneficial for the repair of the colonic wall of rats, but l-glutamine, with its trophic effects on the colonic mucosa, seems to exhibit better results.
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Metadata
Title
Role of l-glutamine and glycine supplementation on irradiated colonic wall
Authors
Cristina F. Diestel
Ruy G. Marques
Francisco Lopes-Paulo
Daurita Paiva
Nara L. Horst
Carlos Eduardo R. Caetano
Margareth C. Portela
Publication date
01-12-2007
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Journal of Colorectal Disease / Issue 12/2007
Print ISSN: 0179-1958
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1262
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-007-0341-8

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