IMPAIRMENT OF MUCOSAL HYPERPLASIA FOLLOWING MASSIVE SMALL BOWEL RESECTION BY ESSENTIAL FATTY ACID (EFA) DEFICIENCY

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that dietary long chain triglycerides stimulate mucosal hyperplasia following massive small bowel resection. In these studies, however, mucosal hyperplasia in “control” animals may have actually been inhibited by short term EFA deficiency. To evaluate this possibility 24 Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 60% proximal jejunoileal resection and subsequently pair-fed isocaloric diets containing either linoleic (control) or palmitic (EFA deficient) acid (5% fat by weight). Two weeks postoperatively, mucosal protein (mg/cm bowel + SEM) was determined in the remaining bowel:: Mucosal protein levels were decreased in EFA deficient resected animals in all segments in remaining bowel (p<.05). Mucosal DNA levels paralleled these changes. A subsequent study demonstrated rapid reversal of impairment of mucosal hyperplasia following reinstitution of EFA containing diets. Hepatic triene:tetraene ratios confirmed EFA deficiency in the palmitic acid group. EFA deficiency impaired mucosal adaptation following resection. This effect was reversible, and may explain stimulatory effects of long chain triglycerides on mucosal hyperplasia.