GLUTAMINE INCREASES SODIUM ABSORPTION IN WHO—ORS PREFUSED INTESTINE OF NORMAL AND DIARRHETIC RATS

Abstract

Aiming at improving WHO-ORS's water and sodiim absorption, “super ORS' s” have been assayed clinically without distinct advantages. Glutamine (gin) is the main energy substrate for the enterocyte (it's metabolism produces 50% of the enterocyte's CO2 productions) and is actively absorbed by a Na+ dependent carrier similar to that of Na+/glucose. During fasting, glutamine reaches the enterocyte via the blood flow. Stress, acidosis, and decreased splachnic irrigation, during severe diarrhea decreases the plasma concentration of glutamine. We hypothesized that addition of glutamine to WHO–ORS may enhance Na absorption during diarrhea, by providing a substrate for the epithelium and for other ATP-dependent carriers. We perfused 20 – 30 cm of intestine, immediately distal to the ligament of a Treitz of 34Wistar rats, 28 days after weaning. In 17 diarrhea was induced with sodium citrate and phenolphtalein; 17 acted as controls. Perfusates were WHO–ORS (Na 90 mM, glucose 11 mM, K 20 mM, Cl 80 mM and NaHCO330 mM/1) and WHO–ORS plus glutamine (30 mM/1). PEG 4000 was used as a marker of water absorption. * p >0.05 WHD–ORS vs WHO-ORS/gln + p >0.05 Normal vs Diarr. Diarrhea affects net Na and water absorption. Glutamine significantly increases (300%) Na absorption in normal and in diarrheic animals.