PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of pre-conditioning with L-alanyl- glutamine (L-Ala-Gln) in rats subjected to total hepatic ischemia. METHODS: Thirty Wistar rats, average weight 300g, were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n=10): G-1 - Saline, G-2- L-Ala-Gln, G-3-control (Sham). G-1 and G-3 groups were treated with saline 2.0 ml or L-Ala-Gln (0.75mg/Kg) intraperitoneally (ip) respectively, 2 hours before laparoto...