Yu JC, Jiang ZM, Li DM. Glutamine: a precursor of glutathione and its effect on liver. World J Gastroenterol 1999; 5(2): 143-146 [PMID: 11819414 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v5.i2.143]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Jian-Chun Yu, M.D., Department of Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 1 Shuaifuyuan, East District, Beijing 100730, China. yujch@csc.pumch.ac.cn
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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 15, 1999; 5(2): 143-146 Published online Apr 15, 1999. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v5.i2.143
Glutamine: a precursor of glutathione and its effect on liver
Jian-Chun Yu, Zhu-Ming Jiang, De-Min Li
Jian-Chun Yu, Zhu-Ming Jiang, De-Min Li, Department of Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Ac ademy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
Jian-Chun Yu, M.D., female, born on 1962-03-25 in Changchun City, Jil in Province, graduated from Postgraduate School of Peking Union Medical College, as a postgraduate in 1988, associate professor of general surgery, majoring gastrointestinal surgery, parenteral and enteral nutrition, having 15 papers published.
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the Youth Scientific Foundation of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.31016.
Correspondence to: Jian-Chun Yu, M.D., Department of Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 1 Shuaifuyuan, East District, Beijing 100730, China. yujch@csc.pumch.ac.cn
Telephone: +86-10-65296038 Fax: +86-10-65124875
Received: November 20, 1998 Revised: February 3, 1999 Accepted: February 14, 1999 Published online: April 15, 1999
Abstract
AIM To investigate the relationship between alanyl-glutamine (ALA-GLN) and glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis in hepatic protection.
METHODS Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: one receiving standard parenteral nutrition (STD) and the other supplemented with or without ALA-GLN for 7 days. The blood and liver tissue samples were examined after 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was injected peritoneally.
RESULTS The concentration measurements were significantly highe r in ALA-GLN group than in STD group in serum GLN (687 μmol/ L ± 50 μmol/L vs 505 μmol/L ± 39 μmol/L,P < 0.05), serum GSH (14 μmol/L ± 5 μmol/L vs 7 μmol/L ± 3 μmol/L, P < 0.01) and in liver GSH content (6.9 μmol/g ± 2.5 μmol/g vs 4.4 μmol/ g ± 1.6 μmol/g liver tissue, P < 0.05). Rats in ALA-GLN group had lesser elevations in hepatic enzymes after 5-FU administration.
CONCLUSION The supplemented nutrition ALA-GLN can protect the liver function through increasing the glutathione biosynthesis and pre-serving the glutathione stores in hepatic tissue.
