Published in:
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.