Intestinal adaptation after massive proximal small-bowel resection in the pig.
BACKGROUND
Small-intestinal adaptation to resection has been extensively studied in rats. The present study investigates morphology, crypt cell proliferation, and disaccharidase activities of the remaining small intestine and colon after 75% proximal resection of porcine small intestine.


METHODS
Specimens were obtained from the proximal jejunum, middle and distal ileum, and proximal colon preoperatively (n = 5) and 14 weeks after small-bowel transection (n = 5) or resection (n = 5). Proliferation was analyzed immunohistochemically with the Ki-67 antigen MIB-1. Disaccharidase activities were determined in accordance with the method of Dahlqvist.


RESULTS
In addition to macroscopic enlargement, resection markedly increased the villi and crypts of the remaining small bowel. Crypt cell proliferation decreased with advancing age after transection but remained at the preoperative level after resection. Specific, but not total, activities of maltase and sucrase in the mid-ileum decreased after resection.


CONCLUSIONS
Small-intestinal adaptation in the pig involves macroscopic enlargement and a prompt increase in villus size, which is associated with high crypt cell proliferation.
Lauronen
J
J
Haartman Institute, Dept. of Pathology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Pakarinen
M P
MP
Kuusanmäki
P
P
Savilahti
E
E
Vento
P
P
Paavonen
T
T
Halttunen
J
J
D000818:Animals; D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000378:metabolism; D003106:Colon / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D007082:Ileum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000201:enzymology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000601:surgery; D007583:Jejunum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000201:enzymology; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D043322:Lactase; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D013393:Sucrase / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine; D000520:alpha-Glucosidases / Q000378:metabolism; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000378:metabolism
D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D001324:Autoantigens; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D043322:Lactase; D000520:alpha-Glucosidases; D001616:beta-Galactosidase; D013393:Sucrase