T-helper (Th) cells play a major role in initiating and shaping the pathologic response in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Glutamine (GLN) is a nutrient with immune-modulating effects. This study investigated the effect of GLN on cytokine expressions and inflammatory responses of three subsets of Th cells in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced IBD. There were one normal control (NC) and two DSS groups. Mice in the DSS groups drank distilled water containing 3% DSS for 5 days, whereas the NC group received distilled water. Mice in the G-DSS group were given intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 g GLN/kg/d for 3 days before receiving DSS water. The other DSS group (C-DSS) received an identical amount of amino acid solution without GLN. After induction of IBD, the mice were allowed to recover for 3 days and then were sacrificed. Blood and colon samples were collected for further analysis. The C-DSS group had higher percentages of blood interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, IL-4 and interferon-γ than the NC group. The G-DSS group had lower Th1/Th17/Th2 cytokine expressions, which showed no differences from the NC group. Plasma haptoglobin, colon immunoglobin G and chemokine levels and myeloperoxidase activities were higher in the DSS groups than the NC group. These parameters were significantly lower in the G-DSS than the C-DSS group. These results suggest that pretreatment with GLN suppressed Th-associated cytokine expressions and may consequently reduce inflammatory mediator production and leukocyte infiltration into tissues, thus ameliorating the severity of acute DSS-induced colitis.
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