Effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 on short bowel syndrome without ileocecal valve in rats

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) can promote enterocyte proliferation w hich may be beneficial to postoperative conditions after massive small bowe l resection (SBR) including the ileocecal valve (ICV). Wistar rats were sub jected to SBR including or preserving ICV and continuously received IGF-1 o r saline alone. Nutritional status, enterocyte proliferation, liver damage and hepatic IGF-1 mRNA levels were analyzed. Body weights, serum levels of total protein and transferrin, and enterocyte proliferation were significan tly lower after SBR including [CV than preserving it. IGF-1 mRNA levels in the liver were decreased after SBR, especially after SBR including ICV. How ever, IGF-1 therapy significantly attenuated those decreased levels after S BR including ICV, Furthermore, IGF-1 significantly decreased serum liver tr ansaminase levels which were increased after SBR including ICV. Continuous administration of IGF-1 may be available as a supplemented therapy for shor t bowel syndrome without ICV. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.