Intestinal adaptation to zinc absorption following massive small bowel resection and colon interposition in rhesus monkeys.

The intestinal uptake of zinc was studied in Rhesus monkeys, after 80% small bowel resection and colon interposition in between the remnant jejunum and the ileum. The hair and serum zinc levels decreased in the early postoperative period and gradually attained normal values after three months postoperatively. A significant increase in the zinc uptake was observed in vitro, in the remnant jejunum, ileum and the grafted colon, both in six months and one year old operated monkeys, suggesting a compensatory intestinal adaptation for zinc absorption after massive small bowel resection and antiperistaltic colon interposition.