title: Transmural trophic effect of short chain fatty acid infusions on atrophic, defunctioned rat colon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to investigate and quantify trophic alterations in the defunctioned, atrophic rat colon after short chain fatty acid (SCFA) treatment was administered in a clinically relevant way.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diverting colostomy with exclusion of distal colon was performed on adult female rats (58), and treatment was started four weeks later. Enemas of either a SCFA solution of sodium-acetate, sodium-propionate and sodium-butyrate (concentration, 780 mM), or isotonic saline (placebo) were instilled through the anus into the defunctioned colon. This was done twice daily for 7 or 14 days before death.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After SCFA instillation for 14 days, the colonic wet weight was 18 percent higher compared with placebo (P < 0.01), and there was a similarly significant difference in dry weight (P < 0.05). Using stereologic assessment to determine the histologic composition of defunctioned colon, we found significant increases among SCFA-treated rats in the weight of the mucose (P < 0.05), the submucosa (P < 0.05), and the muscularis propria (P < 0.05) and a 30 percent increase in the mucosal surface area compared with placebo-treated in the mucosal surface area compared with placebo-treated rats (P < 0.05). Measurements of breaking strength and hydroxyproline content showed no differences between treatment groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SCFA enemas have a transmural trophic effect and preserve mucosal surface area of defunctioned and atrophic colon in rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery L, Amtssygehuset, University Hospital of Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kissmeyer-Nielsen
authors.forename: F V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Mortensen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laurberg
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hessov
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology; D019342:Acetic Acid; D000818:Animals; D001284:Atrophy; D002087:Butyrates / Q000494:pharmacology; D020148:Butyric Acid; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003125:Colostomy; D004733:Enema; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011422:Propionates / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D002087:Butyrates; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D011422:Propionates; D020148:Butyric Acid; C514135:sodium propionate; C029658:propionic acid; D019342:Acetic Acid