PLASMATIC INTESTINAL REGULATORY PEPTIDES AFTER COLECTOMY IN THE RAT

The colon is considered as an endocrine organ producing regulatory pep tides. Colon resection exerts an influence on remnant bowel including proliferative adaptive phenomena. The aim of this work was to determin e the modifications of several regulatory peptides after colectomy and its relation with the gastrointestinal proliferative changes, 75% pro ximal colectomy was performed in Wistar rats, Seven groups were used a ccording to sacrifice times: 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 7 days, 14 days, 21 day s and control group without resection. Results show significant decrea ses in somatostatin, neurotensin and cholecystokinin plasma levels mai ntained up to 21 days postsurgery, Gastrin is elevated with a highest peak at 72 h achieving basal levels at 21 day. Peptide YY show signifi cant high levels between 72 h and 7 days, Secretin plasma levels are i ncreased 24 h post-surgery, decreasing significantly at day 14. It is suggested that maintained low plasmatic levels of somatostatin, a know n mucosal growth inhibitor, after colectomy may help the proliferative adaptation.