A and B, results are expressed as the mean fold increase in target mRNA relative to β-actin mRNA. Compared with controls, mRNA expression of E-cadherin (A) and β-catenin (B) was significantly decreased after 7 days of TPN administration. C, representative gels for both E-cadherin and β-catenin. D and E, results of E-cadherin and β-catenin protein expression are shown. Both factors decreased significantly with TPN administration compared with controls. Note that glutamine administration partially prevented the TPN-associated decline in β-catenin expression; however, glutamine did not affect E-cadherin expression at either 3 or 7 days. *P < 0.01, **P < 0.001, #P < 0.05. Abbreviations: TPN, total parenteral nutrition; n= 5–6 for each group; **P < 0.001.