title: Function of mechanically lengthened jejunum after restoration into continuity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Distraction enterogenesis is a potential treatment for patients with short bowel syndrome. We previously demonstrated successful lengthening of jejunum using a degradable spring device in rats. Absorptive function of the lengthened jejunum after restoration into intestinal continuity needs to be determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Encapsulated polycaprolactone springs were placed into isolated jejunal segments in rats for four weeks. Lengthened segments of jejunum were subsequently restored into intestinal continuity. Absorption studies were performed by placing a mixture of a non-absorbable substrate and glucose into the lumen of the restored jejunum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Restored jejunal segments demonstrated visible peristalsis at specimen retrieval. Compared to normal jejunal controls, restored segments demonstrated equal water absorption and greater glucose absorption. Restored segments had thicker smooth muscle, increased villus height, increased crypt depth, and decreased sucrase activity compared to normal jejunum. The density of enteric ganglia increased after restoration to near normal levels in the submucosa and to normal levels in the myenteric plexus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Jejunum lengthened with a degradable device demonstrates peristaltic and enzymatic activity as well as glucose and water absorption after restoration into intestinal continuity. Our findings further demonstrate the therapeutic potential of a degradable device.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1749, USA.
authors.forename: Veronica F
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Sullins
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1749, USA.
authors.forename: Justin P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7098, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Walthers
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1749, USA.
authors.forename: Elvin K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1749, USA.
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7098, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1749, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7098, USA. Electronic address: jdunn@mednet.ucla.edu.
authors.forename: James C Y
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Dunn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007583:Jejunum / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010528:Peristalsis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012778:Short Bowel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D015626:Tissue Expansion / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Bowel lengthening; Degradable lengthening device; Distraction enterogenesis; Glucose absorption; Mechanical enterogenesis; Short bowel syndrome