Enteral feeding and gut atrophy

Abstract

The focus on mucosal atrophy has obscured the adaptation that may occur simultaneously to minimize the atrophy. Attention to gene adaptation during fasting and malnutrition may provide evidence, in future, for appropriate therapeutic interventions.

The effect of combined spinal-epidural anesthesia versus general anesthesia on the recovery time of intestinal function in young infants undergoing intestinal surgery: a randomized, prospective, controlled trial

“…Prolonged fasting causes thinning of the intestinal mucosa accompanied by villous shortening and decreased enzymatic activity. The early postoperative feeding of infants with small volumes also improves enterocyte maturation, thereby preventing further intestinal atrophy [21,22]. We found a lower frequency of adverse events in CSE group infants than GA group infants, with fewer episodes of abdominal distension and pneumonia, and a trend toward fewer episodes of pyrexia of unknown origin.…”

N-Acetyl-l-Glutamine, A Liquid-Stable Source of Glutamine, Partially Prevents Changes in Body Weight and on Intestinal Immunity Induced by Protein Energy Malnutrition in Pigs

“…The hypothesis that enteral feeding prevents intestinal mucosal atrophy and bacterial translocation (when fasting or malnutrition is present) suggests that nutrition support by the enteral route should be preferred, unless clinically contraindicated [29]. Enteral nutrition decreases gut permeability while maintaining gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), and the preservation of this mucosal immunity by enteral nutrition is consistent with lower morbidity seen in severely injured patients who receive nutrition via the gastrointestinal tract [30].…”

Effects of Hyperosmolar Agents – Lactulose, Lactitol, Sodium Phosphate and Polyethylene Glycol – on Cecal Coliform Bacteria during Traditional Bowel Cleansing: An Experimental Study in Rats

“…In healthy humans, in contrast to animals, although longterm starvation and malnutrition result in intestinal atrophy, short-term (several weeks) lack of food to the gut does not cause the same event. BT in humans has not been found to be directly correlated with starvation [24,44,45]. However, further clinical studies may help to clarify the impact of TBC with hyperosmolar agents in the patients who have malnutrition or poor general condition.…”