Intestinal Absorptive Surface Research Articles

The effects of low-protein diets and protease supplementation on broiler chickens in a hot and humid tropical environment.

ObjectiveThis experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) level and exogenous protease supplementation on growth performance, serum metabolites, carcass traits, small intestinal morphology and endogenous protease activity in broiler chickens reared under a tropical climate.MethodsA total of 480 day-old male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to eight dietary treatments in a 4×2 factorial arrangement. The main effects were CP level (21.0%, 19.7%, 18.5%, or 17.2% from 1 to 21 days and 19.0%, 17.9%, 16.7%, or 15.6% from 22 to 35 days) and protease enzyme supplementation (0 ppm or 500 ppm). All experimental diets were fortified with synthetic feed-grade lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan to provide the minimum amino acid recommended levels for Cobb 500.ResultsReducing dietary CP linearly reduced (p<0.05) growth performance, serum albumin, total protein, and carcass traits and increased (p<0.05) serum triglycerides and abdominal fat. There was no consistent effect of reducing dietary CP on morphological parameters of the intestine and on the pancreatic and intestinal endogenous protease activity (p>0.05). Protease supplementation improved (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio, body weight gain, carcass yield and intestinal absorptive surface area.ConclusionProtease supplementation, as measured by growth performance, intestinal morphology and carcass yield, may alleviate the detrimental effects of low protein diets in broiler chickens.

Weight-loss interventions and gut microbiota changes in overweight and obese patients: a systematic review.

Imbalances in the gut microbiota, the bacteria that inhabit the intestines, are central to the pathogenesis of obesity. This systematic review assesses the association between the gut microbiota and weight loss in overweight/obese adults and its potential manipulation as a target for treating obesity. This review identified 43 studies using the keywords 'overweight' or 'obesity' and 'microbiota' and related terms; among these studies, 17 used dietary interventions, 11 used bariatric surgery and 15 used microbiota manipulation. The studies differed in their methodologies as well as their intervention lengths. Restrictive diets decreased the microbiota abundance, correlated with nutrient deficiency rather than weight loss and generally reduced the butyrate producers Firmicutes, Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium sp. The impact of surgical intervention depended on the given technique and showed a similar effect on butyrate producers, in addition to increasing the presence of the Proteobacteria phylum, which is related to changes in the intestinal absorptive surface, pH and digestion time. Probiotics differed in strain and duration with diverse effects on the microbiota, and they tended to reduce body fat. Prebiotics had a bifidogenic effect and increased butyrate producers, likely due to cross-feeding interactions, contributing to the gut barrier and improving metabolic outcomes. All of the interventions under consideration had impacts on the gut microbiota, although they did not always correlate with weight loss. These results show that restrictive diets and bariatric surgery reduce microbial abundance and promote changes in microbial composition that could have long-term detrimental effects on the colon. In contrast, prebiotics might restore a healthy microbiome and reduce body fat.

Probiotics and Chronic Liver Diseases

Probiotics and Chronic Liver Diseases

New approaches to increase intestinal length: Methods used for intestinal regeneration and bioengineering.

Inadequate absorptive surface area poses a great challenge to the patients suffering a variety of intestinal diseases causing short bowel syndrome. To date, these patients are managed with total parenteral nutrition or intestinal transplantation. However, these carry significant morbidity and mortality. Currently, by emergence of tissue engineering, anticipations to utilize an alternative method to increase the intestinal absorptive surface area are increasing. In this paper, we will review the improvements made over time in attempting elongating the intestine with surgical techniques as well as using intestinal bioengineering. Performing sequential intestinal lengthening was the preliminary method applied in humans. However, these methods did not reach widespread use and has limited outcome. Subsequent experimental methods were developed utilizing scaffolds to regenerate intestinal tissue and organoids unit from the intestinal epithelium. Stem cells also have been studied and applied in all types of tissue engineering. Biomaterials were utilized as a structural support for naive cells to produce bio-engineered tissue that can achieve a near-normal anatomical structure. A promising novel approach is the elongation of the intestine with an acellular biologic scaffold to generate a neo-formed intestinal tissue that showed, for the first time, evidence of absorption in vivo. In the large intestine, studies are more focused on regeneration and engineering of sphincters and will be briefly reviewed. From the review of the existing literature, it can be concluded that significant progress has been achieved in these experimental methods but that these now need to be fully translated into a pre-clinical and clinical experimentation to become a future viable therapeutic option.

Mentha piperita (peppermint) in growing Japanese quails diet: Performance, carcass attributes, morphology and microbial populations of intestine

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary Mentha piperita L. (MP, peppermint) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, ileal morphology and intestinal bacterial populations of growing Japanese quails. A total of 360, 7-day-old quail chicks were fed six experimental diets (with 5 replicates and 12 birds each) including a basal diet with no antibiotics (negative control), the basal diet with subtherapeutic amount of flavophospholipol (positive control), MPI (basal diet + 10 g/kg peppermint), MPII (basal diet + 20 g/kg peppermint), MPIII (basal diet + 30 g/kg peppermint), and MPIV (basal diet + 40 g/kg peppermint) for 5 weeks. Dietary treatments did not affect bird performance, however, feed intake (P = 0.09) and feed conversion ratio (P = 0.06) in peppermint groups showed an incremental trends from 7 to 35 days of age. Inclusion of peppermint in the diet linearly increased the length of small intestine, villus height, villus width, crypt depth, and villus area (P < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that the maximum villus area and CFU of LAB may be obtained with 28.9 (R2 = 0.82) and 28.9 g/kg of dietary peppermint (R2 = 0.93), respectively. However, the minimum CFU of coliforms may be achieved with 22.0 g/kg of dietary peppermint (R2 = 0.50). From the results of present study, it can be concluded that peppermint at the rate of 20–30 g/kg of diet could be a promising alternative to antibiotics in order to improve intestinal bacterial populations and absorption surface area in growing Japanese quails.

Histological Investigations at an Intestinal Level on Laying Quails Fed with Fodders Supplemented with Different Additives (Sel-Plex, Actigen and Bio-Mos)

The aim of this paper was to observe and highlight the possible influence of prebiotics (BioMos and Actigen) and organic Selenium (Sel-Plex), administered in the feeds of laying quails, on the intestinal mucosa and the impact it has on the production and consumption performances of the laying quails.The research has been carried out on 132 laying quails, assigned to 4 groups, each group consisting of 33 birds; a control group fed with combined fodder without any additives and 3 experimental groups fed with additives supplemented fodders –Actigen (0.08%) in experimental group 1, Bio-Mos (0.12%) in experimental group 2 and organic Selenium (Sel-Plex –0.04%) in experimental group 3. The experimental period was 26 weeks (from the age of 6 weeks until the age of 32 weeks). The lying quails were individually weighted at the beginning, at the middle and at the end of the experimental period.The main histological investigations that were carried out at the end of the experimental period consisted of the determination of the villi height, microvilli height and the subsequent intestinal absorption surface; also the body mass evolution, laying intensity and feed conversion were monitored. The birds in all the groups were kept in the same rearing conditions, throughout the entire experimental period.The recorded results confirm the positive influence of the used prebiotics (Bio-Mos and Actigen) and organic Selenium (Sel-Plex) on the intestinal mucosa by increasing the nutrient absorption surface thus explaining the improvement of the production performances and feed conversion in all the experimental groups, compared to the control.

Effects of sorghum on broilers gastrointestinal tract

This study aimed at evaluating the effects of whole and ground sorghum, compared with ground corn, on the live weight, feed conversion ratio, organs weight and intestinal biometrics and histomorphometrics. In total, 960 Hubbard Flex broilers were reared until 42-day-old and distributed into 24 pens, according to the three treatments: ground corn, whole-grain sorghum, and ground sorghum. On day 42, five male birds per treatment were selected by similar body weight and sacrificed. Gizzard absolute weight, and proventriculus, liver, pancreas and heart relative weights, and duodenum, jejunum, ileum, ceca, and colon length and relative weight were determined. Villus characteristics and intestinal mucosa absorption surface area were evaluated. Broilers fed sorghum, independently of physical form, were heavier and had greater feed conversion ratio than those fed ground corn. Gizzard showed the highest relative weight in broilers fed whole sorghum compared to corn. Liver and jejunum relative weight was higher in broilers fed ground corn, compared to ground sorghum. Whole small intestine, cecum and colon relative lengths showed no difference among treatments. Deeper crypts were found in the duodenum of broilers fed whole grain sorghum, compared to ground sorghum, as well as in jejunum compared to ground corn; however, intestinal absorption surface area was not different among treatments. Whole or ground grain sorghum may replace corn in the feed of 1- to 42-d-old broilers, since they improve body weight and feed conversion ratio, and not adversely affect intestinal morphometry and organs weight.

The Secretion and Action of Brush Border Enzymes in the Mammalian Small Intestine.

Microvilli are conventionally regarded as an extension of the small intestinal absorptive surface, but they are also, as latterly discovered, a launching pad for brush border digestive enzymes. Recent work has demonstrated that motor elements of the microvillus cytoskeleton operate to displace the apical membrane toward the apex of the microvillus, where it vesiculates and is shed into the periapical space. Catalytically active brush border digestive enzymes remain incorporated within the membranes of these vesicles, which shifts the site of BB digestion from the surface of the enterocyte to the periapical space. This process enables nutrient hydrolysis to occur adjacent to the membrane in a pre-absorptive step. The characterization of BB digestive enzymes is influenced by the way in which these enzymes are anchored to the apical membranes of microvilli, their subsequent shedding in membrane vesicles, and their differing susceptibilities to cleavage from the component membranes. In addition, the presence of active intracellular components of these enzymes complicates their quantitative assay and the elucidation of their dynamics. This review summarizes the ontogeny and regulation of BB digestive enzymes and what is known of their kinetics and their action in the peripheral and axial regions of the small intestinal lumen.

Short bowel syndrome cause of hypomagnesaemia importance of its diagnosis and treatment

The short bowel syndrome (SIC) is a complex entity characterized by a malabsorptive state usually secondary to extensive intestinal resection originating a clinical, metabolic and/or nutritional disorder due to the reduction of the effective intestinal absorptive surface. The diagnosis is essentially clinical and, due to the patients malabsorptive process, it requires nutritional support to maintain their basic requirements, as the case reported. The clinical features of SIC patients depend on the grade of the alteration of function of the the small intestine or the impairment secondary to the surgical resection. We know that electrolytes are absorbed predominantly in the proximal gut. The regulation of ion/mineral levels depend on both the intestinal absorption and the renal excretion. We present an unusual case of SIC with only low absorption of magnesium. We discuss the most outstanding aspects of the case and review the literature.

Effect of the abrasive properties of sedges on the intestinal absorptive surface and resting metabolic rate of root voles.

Recent studies on grasses and sedges suggest that the induction of a mechanism reducing digestibility of plant tissues in response to herbivore damage may drive rodent population cycles. This defence mechanism seems to rely on the abrasive properties of ingested plants. However, the underlying mechanism has not been demonstrated in small wild herbivores. Therefore, we carried out an experiment in which we determined the joint effect of abrasive sedge components on the histological structure of small intestine as well as resting metabolic rate (RMR) of the root vole (Microtus oeconomus). Histological examination revealed that voles fed with a sedge-dominated diet had shorter villi composed from narrower enterocytes in duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Reduction in the height of villi decreased along the small intestine. Activity of the mucus secretion increased along the small intestine and was significantly higher in the ileum. The intestinal abrasion exceeded the compensatory capabilities of voles, which responded to a sedge-dominated diet by a reduction of body mass and a concomitant decrease in whole body RMR. These results explain the inverse association between body mass and the probability of winter survival observed in voles inhabiting homogenous sedge wetlands.

Effects of dietary β‐(1,3)(1,6)‐D‐glucan supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology and haemato‐immunological profile of mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

In recent years, aquaculture research has focused on probiotics, prebiotics, and β-glucans, in order to improve health status and growth performance. Information regarding the effects of β-glucan on growth performance and intestinal immunity of mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) is scarce. An experiment was therefore conducted to investigate the effects of a yeast β-glucan preparation (MacroGard(®) ) on growth performance, intestinal morphology and haemato-immunological indices of mirror carp. Carp (initial weight 11.1 ± 0.0 g) were fed highly purified diets supplemented with 0% (control), 0.1%, 1% or 2% MacroGard(®) for 8 weeks. Fish fed diets containing 1% and 2% MacroGard(®) showed significant improvements in weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio compared to fish fed both the control and the 0.1% MacroGard(®) containing diet. Histological appraisal of the intestine showed a significantly higher infiltration of leucocytes into the epithelial layer of fish fed diets supplemented with 1% and 2% MacroGard(®) in the anterior intestine compared to fish fed the control and 0.1% MacroGard(®) diet. This effect was not observed in the posterior intestine. There were no significant differences in the intestinal absorptive surface area and number of goblet cells in either intestinal region. At the end of the experiment, the haematological status of the fish was examined. Compared to control fed fish, the haematocrit value was significantly elevated in fish fed the 2% MacroGard(®) diet. Furthermore, the blood monocyte fraction was significantly higher in fish fed the 1% and 2% MacroGard(®) diets. No significant changes were observed in the other blood parameters assessed. The present study shows that high dietary β-glucan inclusion increases growth performance without detrimental effects on the health indicators assessed. Increased intraepithelial leucocytes in the anterior intestine may indicate a localized immune response; no detrimental effects on intestinal morphology were observed.

Potato fiber protects the small intestinal wall against the toxic influence of acrylamide

ObjectiveAcrylamide is a neurotoxic, genotoxic substance present in many commonly consumed food products and has been shown to have carcinogenic effects in rodents. The protective effects (if any) of potato fiber preparations, composed of cell wall material from potatoes, against the toxic influence of dietary acrylamide on the small intestinal wall were investigated. MethodsMale mice of the BALB/c strain were used in the study. Acrylamide was administered to the mice in their drinking water (0.5 mg/kg of body weight per day) and one of two types of potato fiber preparations (heated or raw potato fiber preparation) was added to their feed (2% addition to their feed). Histomorphometry of the small intestinal wall, hemoglobin adducts of acrylamide, animal weight, and feed and water consumption analyses were performed. ResultsAcrylamide altered the morphology and histology of the small intestinal wall, decreasing proliferation, myenteron and submucosal thicknesses, villus length, fractal dimension, crypt depth, crypt number, and the small intestinal absorptive surface. Conversely, apoptosis, hemoglobin adduct levels, intensity of epithelium staining, enterocyte number, villus epithelial thickness, and crypt width and parameters associated with nerve ganglia were increased. The two potato fiber preparations that were used abolished the negative influences of acrylamide on the small intestinal wall and had no influence on the hemoglobin adduct levels of acrylamide. ConclusionThe negative impact of acrylamide on the histologic structure, regeneration, and innervation of the small intestinal wall and the absorptive function of the small intestinal mucosa can be abolished by dietary potato fiber preparations.

Pharmacokinetic considerations in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients

Pharmacokinetic considerations in patients who have undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are explored. The prevalence of obesity, especially morbid obesity, has dramatically increased in recent years. In response, the number of bariatric surgeries performed has risen sharply, as this surgery is the technique demonstrated as being the most effective for sustained treatment of morbid obesity. RYGB, the most popular technique in the United States, combines the principle of restriction (dramatically decreasing stomach size) with malabsorption (bypassing the entire duodenum). It stands to reason that a decrease in gastric and intestinal absorptive surface area may considerably affect oral bioavailability of some drugs. Drugs that require a more acidic environment for absorption, uncoating, or activation and drugs that rely on intestinal transporters located in the duodenum for proper absorption would be most affected. Practitioners looking for guidance in tailoring pharmacotherapy to the RYGB patient will find little help in the primary literature at this time. Until more pharmacokinetic studies are available, practitioners may apply and log P of individual the principles of pK(a) drugs in the attempt to predict the potential impact of the RYGB on a drug's absorption. Likewise, if a drug relies on certain transporters located with highest frequency in the duodenum, alternative therapies can be selected that do not rely on such transport mechanisms for absorption. The pK(a), log P, and intestinal transport mechanisms should be considered when determining which drugs may have altered pharmacokinetics in patients who have undergone RYGB.

Óleo essencial de aroeira-vermelha como aditivo na ração de frangos de corte

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de óleo essencial de aroeira-vermelha (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) como promotor de crescimento nas rações de frangos de corte sobre o desempenho e morfometria intestinal desses animais. Foram utilizados 300 pintos de um dia de vida, tipo corte, machos, linhagem Cobb. As aves foram alojadas em 20 boxes de 2m² (15 aves boxe-1), distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em grupos de quatro (4) tratamentos e cinco (5) repetições, com 15 aves cada. Os grupos foram identificados como T1: dieta sem promotor de crescimento e sem óleo de aroeira-vermelha (controle negativo); T2: dieta com promotor de crescimento e sem óleo de aroeira (antimicrobiano e anticoccidiano - controle positivo); T3: dieta contendo somente antimicrobiano (bacitracina de zinco); T4: dieta com 0,4% de óleo de aroeira-vermelha. Não houve efeito significativo dos tratamentos sobre o desempenho animal (P&gt;0,05). Contudo, quanto aos aspectos morfométricos dos intestinos verificou-se que, aos 21 dias de idade, os animais tratados com promotor de crescimento apresentaram maior relação vilo:cripta, que não diferiu dos tratados com 0,4% de óleo de aroeira-vermelha (P&gt;0,05). As aves arraçoadas com uma dieta sem promotor de crescimento (sem antibiótico e anticoccidiano) tiveram a menor relação vilo:cripta (P&lt;0,05). A adição de óleo de aroeira-vermelha na dieta de frangos de corte reduziu o peso relativo dos intestinos quando comparado com a dieta sem promotor de crescimento (P&lt;0,05), não diferindo dos tratados com promotor de crescimento (P&gt;0,05). Neste estudo, não houve diferença significativa na profundidade das criptas de Lieberkühn e na altura das vilosidades entre os tratamentos (P&gt;0,05). Concluiu-se que a adição de 0,4% de óleo de aroeira promoveu uma melhoria na superfície absortiva intestinal das aves, quando comparado com as aves alimentadas sem promotor de crescimento.

Reduced 13C-d-xylose absorption in alcoholics is more likely caused by alterations in small intestinal mucosa than delayed gastric emptying

Objective. Alterations of the small intestinal absorptive surface are a probable cause of d-xylose malabsorption in chronic alcoholism. Delayed gastric emptying, however, may influence the 13C-d-xylose breath test, which is used to study intestinal function in alcoholics. The aim of this study was to measure gastric emptying in alcoholics to elucidate whether retention of the test meal could explain the malabsorptive pattern of the 13C-d-xylose breath test observed in alcoholics. Material and methods. Fifteen alcoholics performed the 13C-octanoic acid and the 13C-d-xylose breath tests on consecutive days in a random order. The 13CO2 expired was measured every 30 or 15 min for 4 h in the 13C-d-xylose and the 13C-octanoic acid breath tests, respectively, using a mass spectrometer equipped with a gas chromatograph. Test meals consisted of 100 mg of 13C-d-xylose and 5 g of unmarked d-xylose dissolved in 250 ml water and 91 mg 13C-octanoic acid embedded in a one-egg omelette served with white bread with margarine, respectively. Results. The alcoholic patients had a lower 13C-d-xylose breath index compared with healthy controls (p < 0.0001). None of the 13C-octanoic acid breath test variables, T50%, Tmax, Tlag, or GEC revealed any significant differences between the groups. Conclusion. The pathological 13C-d-xylose breath test in this group of alcoholics is unlikely to be caused by delayed gastric emptying. Malabsorption is the probable cause of the pathological 13C-d-xylose breath test results in alcoholics.

Uso de óleo de aroeira-vermelha sobre o desempenho e a morfometria intestinal de frangos de corte

Avaliou-se a utilização do óleo essencial extraído dos frutos de aroeira-vermelha (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) na dieta de frangos de corte sobre o desempenho e a morfometria intestinal. Utilizaram-se 240 pintos de um dia de idade, machos, da linhagem Cobb, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em grupos de cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições: sem antibiótico e anticoccidiano (controle negativo); com antibiótico e anticoccidiano (controle positivo); com 0,1% de óleo de aroeira; com 0,2% de óleo de aroeira; e com 0,4% de óleo de aroeira. O consumo de ração, peso corporal e conversão alimentar foram influenciados significativamente pelos tratamentos (P&lt;0,05). As aves tratadas com promotor de crescimento (antibiótico) tiveram desempenho superior ao desempenho das aves não tratadas (P&lt;0,05). De 1-21 dias de idade, a adição de 0,4% de óleo de aroeira resultou em melhoria na conversão alimentar e maior ganho de peso (P&lt;0,05). De 22-47 dias de idade, observou-se que, independente do nível de adição de óleo de aroeira, sua utilização resultou em maior ganho de peso e peso final (P&lt;0,05) e maior altura de vilosidades no jejuno das aves alimentadas com óleo de aroeira comparadas com as aves tratadas com controle negativo (P&lt;0,05). O óleo de aroeira melhorou os índices de produção e aumentou a superfície intestinal absortiva.

Dietary protein composition influences abundance of peptide and amino acid transporter messenger ribonucleic acid in the small intestine of 2 lines of broiler chicks

This study evaluated the effect of dietary protein composition on mRNA abundance of a peptide transporter (peptide transporter 1, PepT1), amino acid (AA) transporters [Na(+)-independent cationic and zwitterionic AA transporter (b(o,+)AT), excitatory AA transporter 3 (EAAT3), Na(+)-independent cationic and Na(+)-dependent neutral AA transporter 2 (y(+)LAT2), L-type AA transporter 1 (LAT1), and cationic AA transporter 1 (CAT1)], and a digestive enzyme (aminopeptidase N) in 2 lines (A and B) of broilers that differentially express PepT1 mRNA (line B > line A). From d 8 to 15 posthatch, birds were fed 1 of 3 diets. Protein sources included whey protein concentrate, a whey partial hydrolysate (WPH), or a mixture of free AA (AA) identical to the composition of whey. Quantities of mRNA were assayed by real-time PCR in the small intestine of males at d 8, 9, 11, 13, and 15. For all genes except LAT1, abundance of mRNA was greatest in line B birds that consumed the WPH diet (P < 0.006). When mRNA abundance was normalized to beta-actin quantities, this effect disappeared, demonstrating a generalized effect on gene expression in line B birds that consumed the hydrolysate. There was a greater villus height:crypt depth ratio (P < 0.05) in line B birds fed the WPH diet as compared with line A. In conclusion, line B birds, which express greater PepT1, displayed enhanced intestinal mucosal absorptive surface area and differential regulation of PepT1, AA transporters, and aminopeptidase N in response to dietary protein composition.

A review of the nutritional and health aspects of goat milk in cases of intestinal resection

The objective of this paper is to review the beneficial effects of the dietary inclusion of goat milk on the utilization of protein, fat and minerals (Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn and Se), which affect malabsorption syndrome caused by resection of the intestine. The consumption of a goat milk-based diet, compared to bovine milk, has shown a higher protein efficiency ratio, protein digestibility, nitrogen balance and food conversion ratio in rats with resection of the distal small intestine. Goat milk diet also improves digestive utilization of fat, reduces fecal losses and decreases plasma triglycerides. Goat milk diet increases the biliary secretion of cholesterol and causes a decrease in plasma cholesterol levels, whereas the levels of bile phospholipids, biliary acid and lithogenic index remain normal. In relation to mineral bioavailability, apparent digestibility coefficients and the balance of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper and zinc are higher after the consumption of a goat milk diet compared to bovine milk diet in resected rats, despite the intestinal absorptive surface being reduced by 50% due to intestinal resection. Based on the particular biological, nutritional and metabolic characteristics, these reports suggest that goat milk can be an excellent natural food in cases of malabsorption syndrome, as an alternative to bovine milk.

Intrauterine growth restriction reduces intestinal structure and modifies the response to colostrum in preterm and term piglets

We investigated some consequences of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) on weight and structural and functional parameters of the intestine at birth and after 2 days of colostrum feeding. IUGR altered intestinal morphology, leading to a longer and thinner small intestine in piglets born both preterm and at full term, together with reduced villous size in term IUGR piglets. Preterm IUGR piglets displayed an improved ability to adapt to colostrum intake by rapid intestinal catch-up growth, relative to other groups of pigs. In contrast, intestinal nutrient absorption surface was impaired by IUGR during the first days of life in term piglets. The postnatal effects of IUGR may have long term consequences for developing piglets, and these effects may depend on gestational age at birth, preterm or term.

Pharmacokinetic interaction of some antitubercular drugs with caraway: implications in the enhancement of drug bioavailability

This study deals with the pharmacokinetic interaction of selected anti-TB drugs with a natural product (CC-1a) derived from caraway (Carum carvi, L.) seed. CC-1a, chemically standardized butanolic fraction, enhanced the plasma levels of rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and isoniazid in Wistar rat, resulting in increased bioavailability indices (C(max) and AUC) of the drugs. Moreover, a 40% reduced dose regimen of these drugs, which additionally contained CC-1a, was equivalent in terms of C(max) and AUC to a normal dose regimen. A permeation-enhancing property of CC-1a across small intestinal absorptive surface was found to be a contributing factor in its bioavailability enhancing profile.