Objective:To explore the effects of glutamine(Gln) on shape and immune function of intestinal mucosa in liver transplanta-tion rats. Methods:Seventy healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups:normal control group(control group,n=10),orthotopic liver transplantation group(OLT group,n=30) and OLT + Gln group(Gln group,n=30). Dissection of hepatoduodenal ligament was performed in control group and OLT by modified two-cuff method was performed in OLT group and Gln group. For Gln group,recipients were supplied with nutrison fiber(125 ml/(kg·d)) plus Gln(0.3 g/(kg·d)) by gastric perfusion at 3 d before surgery and at 3 h after surgery. For OLT group and control group,recipients were supplied with nutrison fiber(125 ml/(kg·d)) only. Ileal in-testinal wall tissues were taken at 12 h after surgery in control group and at 12,24,72 h after surgery in OLT and Gln groups. Intesti-nal mucosa shape was observed by light microscopy and electron microscopy,length of the microvilli was measured and intestinal mu-cosa tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) levels,secretory immunoglobulin A(sIgA) and proliferative activities of epithelial lymphocytes in intestinal mucosa were detected. Results:Intestinal mucosal damage was more severe in OLT group and Gln group than in control group,however it was lighter in Gln group at 24 h and 72 h than in OLT group(P<0.01). TNF-α contents were significantly higher in OLT group and Gln group than in control group,but they were significantly lower in Gln group than in OLT group(P<0.01). Intesti-nal mucosa sIgA contents and proliferative activities of epithelial lymphocytes in intestinal mucosa were obviously decreased in OLT group at 12,24,72 h and Gln group at 12 h and 24 h than in control group,but they were significantly increased in Gln group at 24 h and 72 h than in OLT group(P<0.01). Conclusions:OLT can increase TNF-α expressions,decrease sIgA contents and decline prolif-erative activities of epithelial lymphocytes in intestinal mucosa,which will cause damages to intestinal mechanical barrier and immune barrier. Peri-operative application Gln can inhibit TNF-α expressions in intestinal mucosa of rats with liver transplantation,increase sIgA contents and improve proliferative activities of ep-ithelial lymphocytes in intestinal mucosa thus protect intestinal mucosa.