The effects of enteral supplementation of glutamine and arginine in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced sepsis

Sepsis is the leading cause for death in critically ill patients. While the exact mechanisms are not clear, it is thought that multiple organ dysfunction syndrome induced by sepsis might cause mitochondrial dysfunction. It has been shown that spesific nutrients might help regulating immunological and inflammatory responses. Glutamine and arginine amino acids have both important roles in growth, tissue repair, cell renewal and collagen synthesis. Glutamin is immediately depleted from muscles in sepsis and significant glutamine deficiency is related with increased morbidity in intensive care units. Arginine has roles in anabolic hormone release, immune functions, ammonia detoxification and wound healing. Patients with mild sepsis might benefit from arginine supplementation while it increases mortality in severe sepsis. There are different results of studies with immunmodulatory nutrients in critically ill patients such, they have no effect on mortality or decrease sepsis incidance. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of enteral supplementation of glutamine, arginine and glutamine and arginine combination in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced sepsis. Twenty eight male Sprague Dawley rats (average weight of 300,2 g) were randomly divided into four groups: Glutamine, Arginine, Glutamine + Arginine and Control. Glutamine group received 500 mg/kg/day glutamine, Arginine group recieved 500 mg/kg/day arginine, Glutamine + Arginine group received 250 mg/kg/day glutamine and 250 mg/kg/day arginine containing suspension by orogastric way. Rats were fed for 10 days and at 10. day, 3 mg/kg LPS was implemented. 24 hours later, all of the rats were sacrified. Blood samples were collected during decapitation and livers were removed. CRP, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, AST and ALT levels were studied, livers were examined histopathologically. CRP and IL-1β levels were not able to be compared while CRP values were negative in all samples and IL-β levels were at maximum levels that could be examined at those concentrations. There were no significant difference between AST, ALT and IL-6 levels between groups. TNF-α levels were significantly lower in Glutamine + Arginine group in comparison with Control group. Liver histopathology analysis showed that apsis, hepatocyte damage, kupffer cell proliferation and portal inflammation were more frequent and severe in Control group than all Glutamine, Arginine and Glutamine + Arginine groups. These results revealed that enteral supply of glutamine, arginine and combination of glutamine and arginine has positive effects on liver damage and inflammation.