Bagcilar Medical Bulletin (Mar 2021)
Bacterial Translocation Relationship with Enteral L-Glutamine and L-Alanine in Experimental Rat Burn Model
Abstract
Objective:The aim of this experimental study is to research the effects of L-alanine and L-glutamine, which are being widely used on intensive care patients, on the liver, structural changes in the small intestine, wound healing, and bacterial translocation.Method:Twenty male Sprague Dawley rats which weighe 190-230 gr were used in this study. Rats were separated into two randomized groups. In accordance with experimental rat burn model, skin burn was created in every rat and both groups were fed equally for 21 days. The experimental group was administered L-glutamine + L-alanine containing product (Dipeptiven®, Fresenius Kabi BadHamborg, Germany) for 5 mL/kg/day orally. At the end of the 21st day, all rats were sacrificed. Biopsy materials were obtained from the liver, small intestine, and burn wound, and blood culture was taken under sterile conditions. In pathologic examination, structural changes in tissues and wound healing were evaluated. In microbiologic examination, the effects of L-glutamine and L-alanine on bacterial translocation were evaluated by comparing small intestine and blood cultures.Results:No structural difference was seen among small intestine biopsies between two groups. No liver damage was seen in the experimental group while live biopsies showed grade 1 damage in the control group. Epithelization and granulation were detected as better in the pathologic examination of skin biopsies obtained from burn wound in the experimental group. Microbiologic examination showed bacterial replication in a total of 4 rats from the control group, two rats showed replication of S. aures in the small intestine and blood culture and two rats showed replication of S. epidermidis in the small intestine and blood culture. No replication was determined in any rats from the experimental group.Conclusion:In the light of findings acquired from this study done with experimental rat burn model, we think that the use of L-glutamine + L-alanine will have positive effects on wound healing and help preventing the bacterial translocation in burn patients as a supporting product.
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