title: Low-residue diet fed to rabbits induces histomorphological and biomechanical remodeling of small intestine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The composition of ingested food is important for the gut microbiome and intestinal homeostasis. We have previously demonstrated that the structure and mechanical properties in the small intestine remodel significantly during fasting. However, it is not clear to what extent the intestinal mechanical properties changes when the composition of food is changed. This study aimed to investigate the passive biomechanical properties and intestinal tissue remodeling in rabbits fed a low-residue diet.
  
  
  METHODS
  New Zealand rabbits (control group n=6, intervention group n=7) were studied. Segments from duodenum, jejunum and ileum were excised. The intestinal diameter and length were obtained from digitized images of the segments at preselected luminal pressure levels and at no-load and zero-stress states. Circumferential and longitudinal stresses (force per area) and strains (deformation) were computed from the length, diameter and pressure data referenced to the zero-stress state geometry. Histomorphometric data were also obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The wet weight-per-unit length, wall thickness and wall area decreased in the intervention group (P<.05, P<.01). Histological measurement confirmed that the wall thickness decreased in all three segments, which was primarily due to mucosal thinning (P<.05). The opening angle tended to increase in all segments in the intervention group. Significant difference between the two groups was found for the jejunum (P<.05). Feeding the low-residue diet shifted the circumferential stress-strain curves in the intervention group to the right, indicating intestinal wall softening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-residue diet in rabbits for 1 month induces location-dependent histomorphometric and biomechanical remodeling of the intestine.
authors: GIOME and the Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.|GIOME Academia, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, Denmark.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Liu
authors: GIOME and the Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.|GIOME Academia, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, Denmark.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Zhao
authors: GIOME and the Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.|GIOME Academia, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, Denmark.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Liao
authors: GIOME and the Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Bao
authors: GIOME and the Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
authors: H
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5792-2845
authors: H
authors: Gregersen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber
keywords: biomechanics; intestine; low-residue diet; morphometry; rabbit; remodeling