title: Oral transforming growth factor-alpha enhances jejunal mucosal recovery and electrical resistance in piglet rotavirus enteritis.
abstract: A randomized, investigator-masked trial determined the effects of oral recombinant human transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha) on jejunal mucosal recovery in 75 piglets with rotavirus diarrhea. Rotavirus inoculation of artificially reared piglets induced subtotal (approximately 50%) villus atrophy and watery diarrhea. Dietary TGF alpha was associated with significant restoration of villus surface area by 4 d postinoculation (p.i.) and complete restoration by 8 d p.i., whereas saline-treated animals required 12 d for recovery. Jejunal segments from clinically recovered TGF alpha-treated piglets showed an increase in electrical resistance across the epithelial barrier in vitro which was proportional to villus height. TGF alpha treatment for 12 d also produced a 30-50% increase in jejunal mucosal mass (protein content and wet weight), compared with the corresponding values in saline-treated piglets and in uninfected controls. However, oral TGF alpha did not hasten the resolution of diarrhea, enhance the specific activities of jejunal mucosal digestive enzymes, or increase jejunal glucose-stimulated Na+ absorption in vitro. We conclude that dietary TGF alpha stimulates jejunal mucosal hypertrophy, improves barrier function, and enhances regrowth of villi in rotavirus enteritis; however, it does not facilitate the restoration of functional activity or mucosal digestive enzymes. Oral TGF alpha can facilitate intestinal epithelial recovery in diseases associated with mucosal damage.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004751:Enteritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D011897:Random Allocation; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013552:Swine; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha