In vivo glucose absorption by neomucosa.
Growing neomucosa has been investigated as a means of permanently increasing intestinal absorption in the short-bowel syndrome. The purpose of this study was to quantitate in vivo glucose absorption by neomucosa and correlate this with neomucosal growth. Thirteen New Zealand White rabbits (2.3 to 3.8 kg) had 2 by 5 cm ileal defects patched with colon serosa, and there was 12 control animals. Glucose absorption was determined by measuring the appearance of radioactivity in the portal vein and vena cava after topical application of [14C]-glucose. At 2 weeks the patched defect is partially covered by a thin layer of columnar epithelial cells. Mature villi are present at 8 weeks. The maximum rate of absorption by neomucosa was significantly greater 8 weeks after patching than at 2 or 4 weeks (0.067 +/- 0.103 versus 0.020 +/- 0.004 and 0.012 +/- 0.003 microCi/min) but was significantly less than normal mucosa (0.264 +/- 0.142 microCi/min, p less than 0.05). Similarly, glucose absorption in the first 20 minutes by neomucosa was greater at 8 weeks than at 2 and 4 weeks (13.0% +/- 6.2% versus 4.7% +/- 0.5% and 6.5% +/- 1.33%, p less than 0.05). Colon serosa also absorbed significant glucose. Neomucosa absorbs glucose in vivo. The rate and amount of absorption correlate with neomucosal growth. Significant glucose absorption by colon serosa has implications for the transperitoneal delivery of nutrients.
D000818:Animals; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits
D005947:Glucose