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Transmural trophic effect of short chain fatty acid infusions on atrophic, defunctioned rat colon

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Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate and quantify trophic alterations in the defunctioned, atrophic rat colon after short chain fatty acid (SCFA) treatment was administered in a clinically relevant way. METHODS: Diverting colostomy with exclusion of distal colon was performed on adult female rats (58), and treatment was started four weeks later. Enemas of either a SCFA solution of sodium-acetate, sodium-propionate and sodium-butyrate (concentration, 780 mM), or isotonic saline (placebo) were instilled through the anus into the defunctioned colon. This was done twice daily for 7 or 14 days before death. RESULTS: After SCFA instillation for 14 days, the colonic wet weight was 18 percent higher compared with placebo (P <0.01), and there was a similarly significant difference in dry weight (P <0.05). Using stereologic assessment to determine the histologic composition of defunctioned colon, we found significant increases among SCFA-treated rats in the weight of the mucosa (P <0.05), the submucosa (P <0.05), and the muscularis propria (P <0.05) and a 30 percent increase in the mucosal surface area compared with placebo-treated rats (P <0.05). Measurements of breaking strength and hydroxyproline content showed no differences between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: SCFA enemas have a transmural trophic effect and preserve mucosal surface area of defunctioned and atrophic colon in rats.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery L, Amtssygehuset, University Hospital of Aarhus and Institute of Experimental Clinical Research, University of Aarhus, Denmark

    Peter Kissmeyer-Nielsen M.D., Frank V. Mortensen M.D., Søren Laurberg D.M.Sc & Ib Hessov D.M.Sc.

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  1. Peter Kissmeyer-Nielsen M.D.
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  2. Frank V. Mortensen M.D.
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  3. Søren Laurberg D.M.Sc
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  4. Ib Hessov D.M.Sc.
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Additional information

Supported by grants from Novo-Nordisk A/S, Gentofte, Denmark, and The Institute of Experimental Clinical Research, University of Aarhus, Denmark.

Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Orlando, Florida, May 8 to 13, 1994.

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Kissmeyer-Nielsen, P., Mortensen, F.V., Laurberg, S. et al. Transmural trophic effect of short chain fatty acid infusions on atrophic, defunctioned rat colon. Dis Colon Rectum 38, 946–951 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02049730

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02049730

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