Protective effects of L-glutamine on hepatic injury of brain-dead rats

Abstract

Objective To explore the effct of L-glutamine (Gln) on hepatic injury of brain-dead rats.Methods Thirty-two SD rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups:control group (C),brain death group (B) and Gln protection groups (G1,G2).Brain death models were established in groups B,group G1 and group G2.The sera of rats at 6 h were collected and the levels of alanine aminotransferase ( ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were determined.At end of assisted respiration,samples of liver were collected and the ulrastructures were observed.Results At 6th h after brain death,the levels of ALT [ ( 184.45 ± 19.96) U/L],AST [ (387.68 ± 15.57)U/L],TNF-α [ (62.35 ±2.75) ng/L] and ET-1 [ (221.43 ± 15.62) ng/L] in group B were significantly higher than those in group C:ALT [(52.25 ±9.36) U/L],AST [(176.45 ±8.40) U/L],TNF-α [ (27.63 ±4.42) ng/L] and ET-1 [ (70.32 ± 5.83 ) ng/L] (P ＜ 0.05).The levels of ALT [ ( 100.02 ±20.36) U/L],AST [ (260.32 ± 16.42) U/L],TNF-α [ (42.31 ± 1.69) ng/L] and ET-1 [ ( 142.56 ±11.25) ng/L] in group G2 were significantly different from those in group G1:ALT [ (148.77 ± 16.75)U/L],AST [(299.35±15.46) U/L],TNF-α [(52.09±3.26) ng/L],ET-1 [(162.45 ±13.87)ng/L],and group B:ALT [(184.45 ± 19.96) U/L],AST [(387.68 ± 15.57) U/L],TNF-α [(62.35 ±2.75) ng/L] and ET-1 [(221.43 ±15.62) ng/L] (P＜0.05).Conclusion Brain death can cause serious damage to the liver of rats.Gln can relieve the hepatic injury of brain death donors. Key words: Brain death; Glutamine; Liver; Endothelin