Sammanfattning
Background: There have been various studies related to fracture healing. Glutamine is an amino
acid with an
important role in many cell and organ functions. This study aimed to make a clinical, radiological,
and
histopathological evaluation of the effects of glutamine on fracture healing.
Methods: Twenty rabbits were randomly allocated into two groups of control and immunonutrition. A
fracture
of the fibula was made to the right hind leg. All rabbits received standard food and water. From post-
operative
first day for 30 days, the studygroup received an additional 2 ml/kg/day 20% L-alanine L-glutamine
solution via a
gastric catheter, and the control group received 2 ml/kg/day isotonic via gastric catheter. At the end of
30 days,
the rabbits were sacrificed and the fractures were examined clinically, radiologically, and
histopathologically in
respect to the degree of union.
Results: Radiological evaluation of the control group determined a mean score of 2.5 according to the
orthopaedists and 2.65 according to the radiologists. In the clinical evaluation, the mean score was
1.875 for
the control group and 2.0 for the study group. Histopathological evaluation determined a mean score
of 8.5
for the control group and 9.0 for the study group.
Conclusion: One month after orally administered glutaminealanine, positive effects were observed
on fracture
healing radiologically, clinically, and histopathologically, although no statistically significant
difference was
determined.