Nutritional Adaptation after Small Bowel Resection in Rats

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Adaptive changes in the small intestine observed in rats following small intestine resection may be influenced by the nutrient load presented to the remaining gut. Young male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing approximately 225 g underwent 50% resection of either proximal (5 rats) or distal (8 rats) intestine. Unoperated rats (12 rats) and sham-operated rats (6 rats) comprised control groups. Assessment of energy intake, energy efficiency (gram gain per 100 kcal consumed), and weight of remaining small intestine in resected rats were compared to similar parameters in unoperated and sham controls. Energy efficiency was significantly greater during the immediate post-surgical period in all operated rats, including shams, compared to unoperated controls. Subsequently, weight and energy efficiency remained similar in all groups. Rats with a distal resection were able to maintain body weight and energy efficiency by greater food intake. On the other hand, proximally resected rats attained a comparable growth pattern by developing extensive hyperplasia of the remaining bowel remnant and presumably increased segmental absorption.