Combined administration of glutamine and growth hormone synergistically reduces bacterial translocation in sepsis.

We investigated the combined effect of glutamine (GLN) and growth hormone (GH) on bacterial translocation (BT) in sepsis. After single intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (10 mg/kg), 48 rats were divided randomly into four groups of 12 animals each: the control group received chow orally; the GLN group received chow plus 10% GLN; GH group received chow plus GH; and the GLN/GH group received chow, 10% GLN, and GH. Twenty-four and 96 hr later, rats were sacrificed. Portal blood culture, bacterial colony counts of cultured mesenteric lymph nodes, mucosal thickness, malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) levels in the gut mucosa were measured. There was no significant change of the rate of portal blood culture between all treatment groups at 24 and 96 hr. At 24 hr, the rats receiving combined treatment of GLN and GH showed lower bacterial colony counts and mucosal MDA levels than the control rats, and higher mucosal GSH levels than the control and GLN-treated rats. At 96 hr, rats treated with both GLN and GH exhibited lower bacterial colony counts and mucosal MDA levels, and higher mucosal thickness and GSH levels than control, GLN, or GH-treated rats. This study suggests that the combination of GLN and GH may synergistically reduce BT over time in sepsis.