BOMBESIN STIMULATES MUCOSAL GROWTH IN JEJUNAL AND ILEAL THIRY-VELLA FISTULAS

Objective The authors determined whether the trophic effects of bombes in (BBS) on the small bowel mucosa are mediated by either nonluminal f actors or endogenous luminal secretion. Summary Background Data The gu t hormone bombesin stimulates growth of small bowel mucosa. The mechan isms responsible for this trophic effect are not known. Methods Rats u nderwent construction of a Thiry-Vella fistula (TVF) of either the jej unum or ileum, On postoperative day 10, the two groups were subdivided to receive either saline (control) or bombesin (10 mu g/kg, subcutane ously, three times a day). After 14 days, rats were killed and the TVF was removed. The mucosa was scraped and weighed, and DNA and protein content was determined. Results Bombesin significantly increased mucos al weight and DNA and protein content of both the jejunal and ileal TV F compared with the control rats. Conclusions Bombesin-mediated stimul ation of small bowel mucosal growth is mediated by factors that are in dependent of luminal contents and pancreaticobiliary secretion. Bombes in may prove to be an important enterotrophic factor for gut mucosal p roliferation.