Effects of repetitive deformation on intestinal epithelial cells.

The intestinal mucosa is subject to a variety of physical forces in a complex manner during normal gut function and in disease. Intestinal mucosal atrophy during some disease states is a troubling phenomenon that is only partially explained by nutritional parameters. Increasing evidence suggests the possibility that repetitive deformation engendered by peristalsis, villous motility, and interaction with luminal chyme may be trophic for the gut mucosa in normal function, but that the intestinal epithelial response to repetitive deformation may be altered by inflammatory or other states in which plasma or tissue fibronectin levels are increased.