Influence of diet complexity on intestinal adaptation following massive small bowel resection in a preclinical model

Abstract

AIMS: To investigate the effect of dietary complexity on intestinal adaptation using a preclinical model. METHODS: Four-week-old piglets underwent a 75% proximal small bowel resection or transection operation (control). Post-operatively, animals received either pig chow (n = 15), polymeric formula (n = 9), polymeric formula plus fiber (n = 6), or elemental formula (n = 7). RESULTS: The weight gain of all groups was reduced compared with controls that were fed the same diet. Animals that had a resection, which were fed elemental formula, had significantly reduced weight gain compared with the other groups (4.7 4.2 vs 30.7 7.1 kg chow and 11.5 1.3 kg polymeric formula). Villus height was incre..