AN INCREASE IN MUCOSAL INSULIN-LIKE-GROWTH-FACTOR-II CONTENT IN POSTRESECTIONAL RAT INTESTINE SUGGESTS AUTOCRINE OR PARACRINE GROWTH-STIMULATION

Background: Luminal nutrients and growth factors regulate postresectio nal intestinal growth. The interplay between glutamine and regulatory gastrointestinal peptides is not known. Methods: The effects of intest inal resection on tissue and plasma concentrations of peptides were st udied in 60 Sprague-Dawley rats divided into resected, transected, or unoperated groups. Subgroups were fed either a glutamine-free or a glu tamine-supplemented diet for 7 days. Epidermal growth factor, transfor ming growth factor-sl, insulinlike growth factors (IGF)I and II,peptid e YY (PYY), and enteroglucagon were analyzed in intestinal mucosa and in portal plasma by radioimmunoassay. Results: No glutamine-specific e ffects were seen. The mucosal content of ICF-II (P < 0.01) and the por tal levels of enteroglucagon and PYY (P < 0.05-0.01) increased after i ntestinal resection. Conclusions: The increase in PW and enteroglucago n in portal blood supports a hormonal role in the postresectional adap tation. The increase in IGF TI in the ileal mucosa, without changes in plasma, implies autocrine or paracrine growth stimulation at this sta ge after resection.