Glutamine, but not Branched-Chain Amino Acids, Restores Intestinal Barrier Function during Activity-Based Anorexia.

During activity-based anorexia (ABA) in mice, enhanced paracellular permeability and reduced protein synthesis have been shown in the colon while the gut-brain axis has received increasing attention in the regulation of intestinal and mood disorders that frequently occur during anorexia nervosa, a severe eating disorder for which there is no specific treatment. In the present study, we assessed the effects of oral glutamine (Gln) or branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) supplementation during ABA to target intestinal functions, body composition and feeding behavior.