Glutamine (GLN) is an aminoacid with restorative properties of the redox state in tissues exposed to oxidant drugs. We have demonstrated that menadione (MEN) decreases intestinal Ca absorption triggering oxidative stress and apoptotic death of enterocytes. In this work we explored whether GLN could prevent the inhibitory effect caused by MEN on the Ca absorption. Chicks (4 weeks old Cobb-Harding) were treated with 1g GLN/kg bw per os and with 2.5μmol MEN /kg bw intraperitoneally (60 or 90 min later). Both drugs acted together for 30 min. Controls were treated with vehicle. We measured intestinal Ca absorption by ?in situ? ligated loop technique. The activities of enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and total glutathione content (GSH) were determined by spectrophotometry. GLN administration 60 or 90min before MEN injection prevented the fall in intestinal Ca absorption triggered by MEN. GLN increased GSH levels, restoring the control values. GLN avoided the induction of SOD and CAT activities by MEN. These data suggests that GLN is capable to prevent the decrease in the intestinal Ca absorption caused by MEN, probably by the restoration of control values of the GSH content and the activities of SOD and CAT.
