Growth hormone and glutamine do not stimulate intestinal adaptation following massive small bowel resection in the rat.

BACKGROUND

Certain nutrients and other trophic factors are highly sensitive stimulants of intestinal adaptation following short bowel syndrome. Growth hormone and glutamine in a modified diet have been shown to enhance nutrient absorption in patients with severe short bowel syndrome. However, neither growth hormone nor glutamine is capable of enhancing adaptation in an animal model. This study was conducted to determine if the combination of glutamine and growth hormone could enhance gut adaptation following massive small bowel resection in the rat.

METHODS

Thirty-four male rats received 70% jejunoileal resection. The first group received glycine and rat growth hormone, the second glutamine and rat growth hormone, and the third glycine but no growth hormone.

RESULTS

There was no evidence that the combination of glutamine and growth hormone could enhance mucosal mass, mucosal protein, or mucosal DNA levels relative to the other two control groups of animals. Likewise, sucrase activities were not enhanced by glutamine and growth hormone.

CONCLUSIONS

It is unlikely that the combination of glutamine and growth hormone will be of benefit in the treatment of patients with short bowel syndrome. The results in previous human studies can be alternatively explained by the long-term nonspecific effect of enteral nutrition on gut adaptation.