GLUTAMINE IS SUPERIOR TO GLUCOSE IN STIMULATING WATER AND ELECTROLYTEABSORPTION ACROSS RABBIT ILEUM

L-Glutamine is the primary metabolic fuel of the intestinal mucosa. Th is in vivo study compares the effect of L-glutamine 50 mM with that of D-glucose 50 mM on water and electrolyte absorption in jejunal and il eal loops of healthy rabbits. Using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a non absorbable marker and an incubation at 37 degrees C, we found that abs orption of water (P = 0.000), sodium (P = 0.002), potassium (P = 0.001 ), and chloride (P = 0.003) from the glutamine electrolyte solution wa s greater than from the glucose electrolyte solution in the ileum. A s imilar trend was shown in the jejunum. We conclude that L-glutamine ma y be a useful component to be tested in oral rehydration solutions for treating diarrheal dehydration.