Prematurity reduces functional adaptation to intestinal resection in piglets

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Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis and congenital gastrointestinal malformations in infants often require intestinal resection, with a subsequent risk of short bowel syndrome (SBS). We hypothesized that immediate intestinal adaptation following resection of the distal intestine with placement of a jejunostomy differs between preterm and term neonates. Methods: Preterm or term piglets were born by cesarean section and fed enterally for 2 days. On day 2, piglets were subjected to 50% distal intestinal resection with placement of a jejunostomy. On the following 4-5 days, piglets received parenteral nutrition with gradually increasing doses of enteral nutrition (bovine colostrum). Intestinal tissue samples were collected at delivery and 2 and 6-7 days after birth for histological examination and assessment of digestive enzyme activities. Results: Preterm and term piglets showed similar increases in intestinal weight and digestive enzyme activities from birth to 2 days. On days 6-7 after birth, the remnant intestine showed a similar density (g/cm) and mucosal mass in term and preterm piglets, but villus height, crypt depth, enzyme activities (sucrase, maltase, dipeptidyl peptidase IV [DPPIV]), and hexose uptake capacity were significantly higher in term piglets (P
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
Volume39
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)668-676
Number of pages9
ISSN0148-6071
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

ID: 109557793