Short-chain fatty acids stimulate mucosal cell proliferation in the closedhuman rectum after Hartmann's procedure

Hartmann's procedure in humans results in a closed rectum deprived of its n atural short-chain fatty acid source. This induces atrophy of the entire re ctal wall. Ki-67 is a monoclonal antibody directed towards proteins in the cell nucleus that are present only during cell proliferation. This study in vestigated the effects of short-chain fatty acids on mucosal cell prolifera tion in the human rectum after Hartmann's procedure by means of Ki-67. Eigh t patients in whom Hartmann's procedure was performed were treated with pla cebo and then short-chain fatty acids for 14 days. Biopsies specimens were taken from the rectum before and after treatment; these were prepared with Ki-67 and labeling index was determined. The treatment was found significan tly to increase proliferative activity in the rectal mucosa (P<0.01); the i ncrease was principally in the middle (P<0.01) and upper crypt (P<0.05) com partments.