Review
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2002.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 15, 2002; 8(1): 13-20
Published online Feb 15, 2002. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v8.i1.13
Table 1 The effect of small bowel resection on intestinal peptides that are known regulate intestinal growth
FactorSourceEffect of Small Bowel Resection on Factor
Epidermal GrowthSalivery glands and Brunner’s glands in the jejunumEGF levels are increased in saliva and diminished in urine 3 d after resection in mice[11].
Factor (EGF)
EnteroglucagonL cells of ileum and colon12 d after a 75% small bowel resection there was a significant increase in concentration of enteroglucagon in the plasma of rats[12].
Glucagon-likeL cells of ileum and colonThere is an increase in expression of GLP-2 mRNA in the ileum of rats after small bowel resection[13].
Peptide 2 (GLP-2)
There is a decrease in expression of dipeptidyl peptidase IV mRNA, the enzyme that inactivates GLP-2, in the ileum of rats after small bowel resection[14].
Insulin-like GrowthCells of the small80% small bowel resection led to a 183% and 249% increase in IGF-1 mRNA in the jejunum and ileum respectively of rats[15].
factor-1 (IGF-1)intestine
Peptide tyrosineL cells of ileumAfter 70% resection in rats the concentration of PYY in plasma was elevated for at least 2 wk and there was a
tyrosine (PYY)four and six-fold increase in PYY mRNA in ileum and colon at six hours after resection[14].
NeurotensinGut mucosal endocrine cells
(N cells) in the jejunum and ileum50% resection of the distal intestine in dogs was associated with a transient increase in neurotensin[16].
Table 2 Nutrients that regulate gut adaptation
NutrientEffect on Intestinal Adaptation
Soluble fibre and shortSCFA-supplemented parenteral nutrition led to an increase in ileal uptake of D-glucose in rats with an 80% small bowel resection[28].
chain fatty acids
A 2% pectin-enriched elemental diet led to a significant increase in intestinal weight, mucosal protein content, and mucosal DNA
content in rats with an 80% small bowel resection[29].
TriglyceridesRats fed with an elemental diet containing 60% long chain triglycerides after a 60% resection had a greater intestinal adaptation than
rats fed a diet containing 17% long chain triglycerides[30].
OrnithineEnteral supplements of ornithine 2g·kg-1·d-1 significantly increased jejunal crypt depth ratio and significantly increased glutamine
α -ketoglutarateconcentration in anterior tibialis muscle[31].
Enteral supplements of ornithine 1 g·kg-1·d-1 significantly increased ileal villus height and expression of ornithine decarboxylase mRNA
in the ileum[32].
GlutamineIn rats with an 85% small bowel resection, feeding a 2% glutamine-enriched TPN solution, enhanced intestinal adaptation as assessed by
mucosal villus height, and mucosal DNA content[33].
A glutamine-enriched diet enhanced ileal hyperplasia in rats with an 80% small bowel resection[34].
In rats with a 70% small bowel resection, feeding a 5% glutamine-enriched rats chow diet inhibited intestinal adaptation as assessed by
duodenal protein content and ileal DNA content[35].
A 2% glutamine-enriched elemental diet did not alter markers of intestinal adaptation in rats with a massive small bowel resection[36].
A 4% glutamine-enriched oral diet did not significantly alter intestinal adaptation after intestinal resection in rats[37].
Table 3 Molecules that regulate intestinal adaptation
MoleculeEffect on Intestinal Adaptation
Glucagon-LikeTreatment of rats with a 75% mid small bowel resection with twice daily injections of 0.1ìg per gram of bodyweight for 21 d induced led to
Peptide 2mucosal hyperplasia in the proximal jejunum but not in the terminal ileum and a significant increase in intestinal absorptive capacity[50].
Interleukin-11Treatment of rats with a 90% small bowel resectionwith twice daily injections of 125 mg·g-1ªª Il-11 significantly increasedvillus height and crypt
cell mitotic rates[51].
Keratinocyte GrowthTreatment of rats with a 75% small bowel resection with 3 mg·kg-1·d-1 of KGF enhanced intestinal adaptation as assessed by mucosal
Factor (KGF)cellularity, and biochemical activity in duodenal, jejunal and ileal segments[52].
Transforming factor-αTreatment of mice with a 50% small bowel resection with intraperitoneal TGF-α enhanced intestinal adaptation[53].
Growth HormoneTreatment of rats with a 75% small intestinal resection with 0.1 mg·kg-1·kg-1·2 d-1 d for 28 d enhanced ileal adaptation as assessed by ileal
mucosal height. Treatment with growth hormone did not alter ileal mucosal DNA content or ileal mucosal IGF-1 content[54].
Treatment of rats with an 80% jejunoileal resection with synthetic rat GH for up to 14 d did not enhance ileal adaptation[55].
Treatment of an infant with only 25 cm of jejunum and 2 cm of ileum, with an ileocecal valve, with a 4-week course of 0.5 U/kg of GH
allowing wean ing from TPN[56].
Ten patients with short bowel syndrome were treated with daily subcutaneous doses of recombinant human GH (rhGH) of 0.024 mg·kg-1·d-1 or a placebo for 8 wk in a crossover cli nical trial that included a wash-out period of at least 12 wk. Low-dose rhGH doubled serum levels
of IGF-1 and increased body weight and lean body mass; but there were no significant changes in absorptive capacity of water, energy, or protein[57].
Insulin-likeTreatment of rats with 70% and 80% jejuno-ileal resection with IGF-1 or analogues significantly attenuated malabsorption of fat and
Growth Factor-1increased weight of stomach and proximal small bowel[58].
Gastrostomy-fed rats underwent 80% jejuno-ileal resection followed by infusion of 2.4mg·kg-1·d-1 IGF-1 for 7 d. IGF-1 infusion led to a
modest increase in ileal but not jejunal growth[15].
Treatment of TPN-fed rats for 7 d with IGF-1 after a 60% jejunoileal resection led to an increase in jejunal mass, enterocyte proliferation and
migration rates yet had minimal effect on colonic structure[59].
Epidermal GrowthTreatment of rabbits with 2/3 proximal resection with oral EGF (40 µg·kg-1·d-1) for 5 d led to an increase in maltase specific activity and a 3
Factor (EGF)-4 fold increase in glucose transport and phlorizin binding[60].
Treatment of rabbits with a 50%-60% small bowel resection with 0.3 µg·kg-1·h-1 for 7 d led to a foufold increase in mucosal dryweight at 3
wk post-resection[61].
Treatment of rats with a 75% small bowel resection with 6.25 µg·kg-1·h-1 of EGF increased mucosal thickness at 28 d post-resection[62].
NeurotensinTreatment of rats with a 75% small bowel resection with 600 µg·kg-1·d-1 led to an increase in the rate of mucosal proliferation[63].
Table 4 The effect of glutamine, growth hormone, and a modified diet on patients with short-bowel syndrome
AuthorsDesign of StudyTreatmentNumber and Type of PatientsAverage Length of Remnant Bowel 43Results
Byrne et al[65].Uncontrolled study.GH 0.11 mg·kg-1·d-1, glutamine47 patients that werepatients with aAt the end of the study 57% of the
Patients admitted to0.16 g·kg-1·d-1ªª by the parenteralchronically dependentcolonic remnantpatients no longer needed TPN, 30%
hospital and treated forroute with up to 30 g·d-1 by theon parenteral nutritionhad(50 ± 7)cm[4].had reduced TPN requirements, and
21 d.enteral route, and a diet containingpatients with6% required approximately the same
60% of total calories asno colon hadamount of TPN as they did at the start
carbohydrate, 20% as fat and 20%(102 ± 24)cm.of the study.
from protein.One year later 40% of the patients no
longer needed TPN, 40% had reduced
TPN requirements, and 20% required
approximately the same amount of TPN
as they did at the start of the study
Scolapio[66]Double-blind, placeboGH 0.14 mg·kg-1·d-1, glutamine8 patients that were71 cm2 patientsTreatment led to a significant increase
Scolapio et al[67].controlled, randomized0.63 g·kg-1·d-1 by oral route, and adependent on parenteralhad colonicin bodyweight and lean body mass, a
crossover study. Patientsdiet containing 60% total caloriesnutrition for an averagecontinuity.significant decrease in percent body fat
were treated for 21 d asas carbohydrate, 20% as fat andof 12.9 years.and induced peripheral edema.
out-patients.20% as protein.All parameters returned to baseline
levels within 14 d of stopping treatment.
Treatment had no significant effect on
intestinal villus height or crypt depth.
Szkudlarek et al[68].Double-blind, placeboGH 0.14 mg·kg-1·d-1, glutamine8 patients that were104 cm.4 patientsNo significant effect of treat ment on
controlled, randomized30 g·d-1 by oral route anddependent on parenteralhad colonicabsorption of energy, carbohydrate,
crossover study. Patientsglutamine-enriched parenteralnutrition for an averagecontinuity.nitrogen, wet weight, sodium, potassium,
were treated for 28 d asnutrition (17% of nitrogenof 7 years .calcium or magnesium. Treatment induced
out-patients.as glutamine).adverse effects.