Objective    To investigate the protective effect of glutamine on intestinal mucosa during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats and its possible mechanism.     Methods    Eighteen male Wistar rats were randomly receiving glutamine precondition (G group) and 0.9% NaCl solution (control group) for 3 days. The liver was subjected to warm ischemia by cross-clamping the hepatoduodenal ligament for 40 min according to Pringle’s maneuver

then declamping to restore the blood flow. Blood (3 ml) was drawn from abdominal aorta to test ALT

AST

LDH levels; In 1 h after reperfusion

the lymphoid nodes of mesentery in ileocecal part was obtained for germiculture and partial ileac tissues were got to estimate mucosal injury under light microscope and scanning electron microscope.     Results    The ALT level of G group and control group was (407.29±84.27) U/L and (312.67±66.48) U/L respectively

with significant difference (P0.05)

but AST and LDH levels were of no significant difference between two groups (P0.05).The bacterial content in lymphoid nodes of mesentery from G group was significantly lower than that from control group [(492.27±247.52) cfu/g

(3 865.02±1 681.07) cfu/g

P0.05].Partial bacterioflora and bacteria inside guts were identified as homologous. After 40-minute ischemia and 1-hour reperfusion

the gut injury in G group was milder than in control group.     Conclusion    Precondition with glutamine intravenously before operation has protective effect on intestinal mucosa during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.