PROTECTIVE EFFECTS ON SMALL INTESTINES OF GLUTAMINE ADMINISTERED ORALLY PRIOR TO ABDOMINAL RADIATION

Although radiation therapy has many beneficial effects, it is also known to damage healthy tissues. One of the most important adverse effects of abdominal radiation is the damage to the small intestine. It is known that glutamine which is a nonessential amino acid is used as fuel for the mucous membrane of the small intestine to carry out its function. Small intestine morphologies of mice applied a single dose of 1000 cGy abdominal radiation after having been administered once every day 0.3 gr/kg/day glutamine by means of gavage for a period of 7 days and those that were applied only radiation, together with their controls were examined morphologically. In addition, serum cholesterol, lipid and lipid peroxides were determined spectrophotometrically. In the group that was applied radiation, ruptures and discontinuity of the villus epithelium, expansion and compression of the villi, hyperemia and oedema in the submucosa have been observed. On the other hand, in the group that was administered both radiation and glutamine, it was determined that villi regained the same structures as the controls and that submucosa was slightly hyperemic and oedematous in places. In addition, in the group that was applied radiation an increase in the amounts of serum cholesterol, lipid and lipid peroxide, and a decrease in these values in the group administered both glutamine and radiation were determined. It has been concluded that glutamine has a protective effect against damage in the small intestine due to radiation in accordance with the obtained morphological and biochemical results.