Elevation of glutamine concentration after blood donation in dogs

The goal of this study is to characterize the variations in glutamine (GLN) concentration and other blood biomarkers in dogs after blood donation. Blood samples were collected from 12 dogs that were used regularly for blood donation. The procedure was performed on the following occasions: before blood donation and +24 h, +7 days, +15 days, and +30 days after blood donation in order to obtain GLN, glutamate (GLU), white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), urea, albumin (ALB), creatinine (CREAT), total protein (TP), and globulin (GLOB). The results were analyzed by ANOVA, for repeated measures with one factor, and by Tukey’s test with a P value of 5 %. There are significant differences in GLN after blood donation (P < 0.05), with an elevation in concentration in two phases, 24 h after donation and after 15 days and then return to the initial levels after 30 days. Decreases in UREA and ALB were also observed (P < 0.05). No variations were observed in GLU, CREAT, TP, and GLOB after blood donation (P < 0.05). The red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were significantly reduced 24 h after blood donation (P < 0.05). The platelet count shows large elevation after 7 days of blood donation (P < 0.05). There is no variation in WBC, whereas lymphocytes and eosinophils varied during the experiment (P < 0.05). It is concluded that after blood donation, there is an increase in GLN, platelets, and eosinophils. More studies are needed to be done to understand how the interorgan transport of GLN contributes to the recovery of these dogs after blood donation.