Structural and functional adaptation following jejunal resection in rabbits: effect of epidermal growth factor.
OBJECTIVE
Remnant small intestine undergoes adaptation following massive resection. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on ileal adaptation following proximal resection.


METHODS
New Zealand white rabbits, aged 8 weeks, underwent 2/3 proximal resection, and ileal mucosal adaptation was assessed 10 and 21 days postsurgery. In a second series of experiments, animals with resection received oral EGF (40 micrograms.kg-1.day-1) for 5 days, and the effect on adaptation was assessed 10 days postsurgery.


RESULTS
Transection alone stimulated mucosal hyperplasia, intestinal sucrase specific activity, and glucose transport at 10 days but not at 21 days. Resection resulted in mucosal hyperplasia at both time periods and increased disaccharidase specific activity at 10 days postresection. In contrast, 3 O-methyl-D-glucose transport was significantly decreased compared with both groups at both time periods. EGF treatment in animals with resection did not alter mucosal proliferation but did stimulate maltase specific activity and caused a 3-4-fold increase in glucose transport and phlorizin binding.


CONCLUSIONS
Following proximal resection, adaptation of intestinal digestive and absorptive function does not parallel mucosal hyperplasia. Administration of EGF to resected animals enhances glucose absorption and may have a therapeutic role in the management of short gut syndrome.
Department of Paediatrics, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia.
E
E
O'Loughlin
M
M
Winter
A
A
Shun
J A
JA
Hardin
D G
DG
Gall
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D007583:Jejunum / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010695:Phlorhizin / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits
D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D010695:Phlorhizin; D005947:Glucose