Desired and side effects of the supplementation with L-glutamine and L-glutathione in enteric glia of diabetic rats

Background/Aims Enteric neuropathy associated with Diabetes Mellitus causes dysfunction in the digestive system, such as: nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, among others. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of supplementation with 2% L-glutamine and 1% L-glutathione on neurons and enteric glial cells of ileum of diabetic rats. Methods Thirty male Wistar rats have been used according to these group distributions: Normoglycemic (N), Normoglycemic supplemented with L-glutamine (NG), Normoglycemic supplemented with L-glutathione (NGO), Diabetic (D), Diabetic supplemented with L-glutamine (DG) and Diabetic supplemented with L-glutathione (DGO). After 120 days, the ileum was processed for immunohistochemistry of HuC/D and S100β. Quantitative and morphometric analysis have been performed. Results Diabetic rats presented a decrease in the number of neurons when compared to normoglycemic animals. However, diabetes was not associated with a change in glial density. L-Glutathione prevented the neuronal death in diabetic rats. L-Glutathione increased a glial proliferation in diabetic rats. The neuronal area in diabetic rats increased in relation to the normoglycemics. The diabetic rats supplemented with L-glutamine and L-glutathione showed a smaller neuronal area in comparison to diabetic group. The glial cell area was a decreased in the diabetics. The diabetic rats supplemented with L-glutamine and L-glutathione did not have significant difference in the glial cell body area when compared to diabetic rats. Conclusion It is concluded that the usage of L-glutamine and L-glutathione as supplements presents both desired and side effects that are different for the same substance in considering normoglycemic or diabetic animals.