Objective: To observe the impact of glycyl-glutamine (Gly-Gln) dipeptide on the autotransplanted small bowel.
Methods: Ten unbred pigs underwent small bowel autotransplantation and were divided randomly into two groups: GTPN and STPN. In the GTPN group (n = 5), the pigs received TPN supplemented with Gly-Gln for 28 days, whereas in the STPN group (n = 5), the pigs received isonitrogenous and isocaloric standard TPN for 28 days. The content of plasma glutamine (Gln), the concentrations of mucosal Gln, protein, villous DNA and RNA, villous height, mucosal thickness, crypt depth, villous surface area, D-xylose absorption test, and intestinal permeability to (99m)Tc-DTPA were measured on the operative day or on the 1st and 28th day after operation.
Results: All the indexes except the intestinal permeability (IP) to (99m)Tc-DTPA were significantly higher in the GTPN group than in the STPN group (P < 0.05) on the 28th day after operation, but the IP to (99m)Tc-DTPA was significantly lower in the GTPN group than in the STPN group (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Gly-Gln has special nutritional effect in improving the metabolism, structure and function of autotransplanted small intestine in pig.