Effect of glutami̇ne on the healing of the trachea after tracheotomy

SUMMARY Aim: In our study, we researched tissue regeneration and immune supportive effects of Glutamine on tracheal healing of experimentally tracheotomised rats. Material and Methods: Our study was performed in Abant İzzet Baysal University Faculty of medicine Animal Production and Research Facility Laboratories among 15th September to 2nd October 2014. Thirty rats were used in the study. Three groups were planned. First group was exposed to enteral glutamine with 1gr/kg/day dose from five days before to five days after tracheotomy operation. Second group was exposed to enteral glutamine with 1gr/kg/day dose foro five days after tracheotomy operation. Third group was exposed to enteral saline with the same duration and dose with the second group. For the first group, after enteral glutamine exposure for five days tracheotomy was performed to each rat in the group. Then glutamine exposure was continued for five days. After 10 days of exposure, the rats were sacrificed and their tracheae were taken out. The second group was exposed to glutamine with the same dose but after the tracheal operations. the third group was exposed to normal Saline for same time and dose with the second group. Both of the groups were sacrificed at the end of fifth day and their tracheae were also taken out. The specimens, taken from the groups, were examined histologically and pathological findings of epithelial regeneration, inflammation, angiogenesis and fibrosis were recorded. Results : At the end of study, all of examined histopathological findings were found statistically significant in the first group according to the second and the third ones. But these parameters were not found statistically significant between the first and the second group. In our study, glutamine was found positively effective in decreasing the healing period and better histopathological results of trachea after tracheotomy operation. Keywords: Glutamine, tracheotomy, tracheal healing