Supplementation of enteral nutrition with butyrate leads to increased portal efflux of amino acids in growing pigs with short bowel syndrome.
Previously, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) infused into the hindgut or administered intravenously have been shown to stimulate intestinal adaptation after massive small bowel resection. To study the effects of enterally supplemented n-butyrate on food digestion and absorption in growing pigs with short bowel syndrome, the authors examined the portal efflux of glucose and amino acids during a meal. In 12 growing pigs, 75% of the small intestine was resected. Five control (CONT) animals underwent transection and reanastomosis of the small bowel. A splenic vein, the aorta, the portal vein, and the stomach were catheterized. Postoperatively, seven enterectomized (ENT) pigs and the CONT pigs were fed by infusion of a liquid diet, without SCFAs, through the gastrostomy catheter. Five enterectomized animals received the same diet, supplemented with butyrate (ENTB) (0.26 g/kg body weight/d). After 3 weeks, the portal efflux of amino acids and glucose was measured after 2 hours of constant feeding. The portal efflux of glucose expressed per kilogram of body weight in the ENT group was 10% of that in the CONT group, and in the ENTB group it was 42%. No significant difference in portal glucose efflux between the ENT and the ENTB groups was found. The portal efflux of amino acids during a meal in the ENT group in relation to the CONT groups was 34%; in the ENTB group it was 63%. These data suggest that enteral supplementation with SCFAs leads to improvement of intestinal food digestion and absorption during short bowel syndrome, possibly related to improved intestinal adaptation.
Welters
C F
CF
Department of Surgery, University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Deutz
N E
NE
Dejong
C H
CH
Soeters
P B
PB
Heineman
E
E
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002087:Butyrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020148:Butyric Acid; D004063:Digestion / Q000502:physiology; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D005526:Food, Formulated; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000502:physiology; D011169:Portal Vein; D012778:Short Bowel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013552:Swine
D000596:Amino Acids; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002087:Butyrates; D020148:Butyric Acid