In order to investigate the effect of L-glutamine on gut glucose metabolism, 14 miniswines with 30% TBSA full thickness burns were used in this study. The results showed that: the Nonglutamine group exhibited a decreased gut glucose utilization, and glutamine-group showed a small amount of gut glucose net release (0.11 mumol.min-1.kg-1), and from post burn day 4 on, both groups showed net gut glucose release, but glutamine-group had higher net gut glucoses than that of nonglutamine group (P < 0.01). This result suggests that administration of glutamine decreases gut glucose utilization and increases gut glucose synthesis significantly after severe burns.