Effect of two intestinal resections separated by time on cell proliferation in the rat small intestine

Abstract

An attempt was made to force the mucosal cell renewal system into a maximal proliferative state by performing single intestinal resections followed 7 days later by second resections. Changes in several parameters of the compensatory response were assessed 14 days after the last surgical procedure in transected, singly resected, and doubly resected animals. A second resection of sufficient magnitude and at a proper time with respect to the first resection, yielded a compensatory response greater than that achieved with a single resection as measured by crypt cell incorporation of tritiated thymidine. Provided the total amount of tissue removed in the two procedures was constant, the amount of tissue taken as a primary or secondary stimulus did not change the ultimate level of significantly increased cell proliferation in the small intestine of the rat after two resections. Intracellular adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate values for resected animals were significantly lower than those found in other treatment groups. However, no significant difference in guanosine 3′,4′-cyclic monophosphate levels was found among the treatment groups.