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Biomedical subjects

S M Donovan

Publications and source records attributed to S M Donovan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Biochemical and morphological developments are partially impaired in intestinal mucosa from growing pigs fed reduced-protein diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids.

The objective of this study was to determine if a reduction in dietary CP, with partial replacement of the intact protein with crystalline AA (CAA), would alter growth, morphology, and free or peptide-bound AA concentrations of intestinal mucosa in growing pigs. Twenty-four barrows (37.0 +/- 1.5 kg of BW) were fed 1 of 4 diets for 24 d: 16.1% CP with no CAA, or 12.8, 10.1, or 7.8% CP (analyzed values, as-fed) containing CAA. As CP decreased, CAA were gradually increased to meet requirements on a true ileal digestible basis. Pigs were euthanized 2 h postmeal on d 24, and mucosal samples from duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were collected. Reducing dietary CP decreased ADG, G:F, and final weight (linear, P < 0.05). With reduced dietary CP, mucosal protein concentration decreased in the jejunum (quadratic, P < 0.05) and tended to decrease in the ileum (linear, P = 0.062). Reduction of the dietary CP concentration from 16.1 to 7.8% tended to decrease the crypt depth (linear, P < 0.10) and decreased villus width (linear, P < 0.05) in duodenum and jejunum mucosa but did not reduce villus height or villus surface area in any regions of the small intestine. In the duodenum, a reduction in dietary CP increased free Lys, Met, and Thr (linear, P < 0.05) and peptide-bound Lys and Thr (quadratic, P < 0.10). In the jejunum, reducing CP decreased free Cys (linear P < 0.05) and tended to decrease free Asn and His (linear, P < 0.10) and peptide-bound His (quadratic, P = 0.061) and Ile, Leu, and Val (linear, P < 0.10). In the ileum, reducing CP decreased free Asn, Ser, Tyr, Arg, His, Phe (linear, P < 0.05), and Leu (linear, P = 0.054) and peptide-bound Gly and Ser (linear, P < 0.05) and tended to decrease peptide-bound Ile, Leu, Phe, Val (linear, P < 0.10), and Lys (linear P < 0.05). In conclusion, reduced-CP diets supplemented with CAA lead to a reduction in growth performance, associated with biochemical and morphological modifications of the intestinal mucosa.

Amino Acids↗

Effect of a short-term fast on intestinal disaccharidase activity and villus morphology of piglets suckling insulin-like growth factor-I transgenic sows.

The objectives of this study were to use transgenic sows that overexpress IGF-I in milk to investigate the effect of a short-term fast on piglet intestinal morphology and disaccharidase activity and to determine how milk-borne IGF-I influences the response to fasting. After farrowing, litters were normalized to 10 piglets. On d 6, piglets (n = 30) suckling IGF-I transgenic (TG) sows and piglets (n = 30) suckling nontransgenic sows (control) were assigned randomly to three treatments: fed piglets (0 h), which remained with the sow until euthanized on d 7, or fasted piglets, which were removed from the sow at either 6 or 12 h before euthanasia on d 7. Serum IGF-I and IGFBP, intestinal weight and length, jejunal protein and DNA content, disaccharidase activity, and villus morphology were measured. Fasting for 12 h resulted in a negative weight change between d 6 and 7 (quadratic response to fasting; P < 0.001). Piglets suckling TG sows tended to have greater intestinal length (P = 0.068), but no effect of IGF-I overexpression was noted for intestinal weight. Fasting, however, resulted in linear (P < 0.001) and quadratic (P = 0.002) decreases in intestinal weight. Serum IGF-I did not differ between control and TG sows, but decreased linearly (P = 0.003) with fasting. Serum IGFBP-4 decreased (linear and quadratic; P < or = 0.02) with fasting, whereas IGFBP-1 increased quadratically (P < 0.001) with fasting. Jejunal villus height, width, and crypt depth were all increased with fasting (linear and quadratic; P < 0.04). Disaccharidase activity was not affected by fed state; however, piglets suckling TG sows had greater jejunal lactase-phlorhizin hydrolase (P < 0.01) and sucrase-isomaltase (P = 0.02) activities than control piglets. In summary, intestinal weight, villus morphology, serum IGF-I, serum IGFBP-1 and -4, and piglet BW change were altered (P < or = 0.02) in response to fasting. Thus, the duration of food deprivation before euthanization should be considered when designing experiments to assess intestinal development or the IGF axis, as the magnitude of differences between the fed and fasted state may exceed those expected as a result of experimental treatment.

Animals↗

Effects of protein deprivation on subsequent growth performance, gain of body components, and protein requirements in growing pigs.

Forty-eight barrows were used in a 2 x 6 factorial arrangement to test a hypothesis that feeding a protein-deficient diet affects subsequent growth response by altering the efficiency of protein utilization. Barrows were individually fed either a 9% crude protein (CP) diet or an 18% CP diet from 20 to 30 kg of body weight (BW) (depletion phase). From 30 to 45 kg BW (realimentation phase), pigs were fed one of six experimental diets with CP levels of 11.8, 13.1, 14.3, 15.6, 18.8, and 21.8%. Four pigs were slaughtered at 20 kg BW to determine initial body composition. Four pigs from each treatment in depletion phase (a total of eight) were slaughtered at 30 kg BW, and all pigs from each treatment in realimentation phase (a total of 36) were slaughtered at 45 kg BW for subsequent compositional analysis. Pigs were bled at 20, 30, and 40 kg BW for blood urea nitrogen (BUN), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, and IGF-binding protein (IGFBP) assays. Pigs were given three times the maintenance digestible energy requirement (3 x 120 kcal BW(-0.75) x d(-1)) in three equal meals daily. The feed allowance was adjusted every 3 d. During the depletion phase, pigs fed the 18% CP diet grew faster and more efficiently (P < 0.01) and gained more (P < 0.01) water and protein than did pigs fed the 9% CP diet. Pigs fed the 18% CP diet showed higher (P < 0.01) BUN values, IGF-I concentrations, and IGFBP ratios than pigs fed the 9% CP diet. During the realimentation phase, pigs fed the 9% CP diet during the depletion phase grew faster (P < 0.05), tended to grow more efficiently (P = 0.066), gained more water (P < 0.01), and tended to gain more protein (P = 0.068) than pigs fed the 18% CP diet during the depletion phase. Pigs fed the 9% CP diet during the depletion phase tended (P = 0.069) to have a higher protein requirement during the realimentation phase than pigs fed the 18% CP diet during the depletion phase. When measured at 40 kg BW, pigs fed the 9% CP diet had a lower (P < 0.05) BUN than pigs fed the 18% CP diet during the depletion phase. However, the plasma IGF-I concentration and IGFBP ratio at 40 kg BW were not affected by dietary CP level fed during the depletion phase. This study indicates that pigs fed a protein-deficient diet exhibit compensatory growth. During the period of compensatory growth, the requirement of CP for those pigs is higher than that of pigs previously fed an adequate diet. This study also suggests BUN can be used as an indicator of protein utilization efficiency and compensatory growth.

Animal Feed↗

Acidomucin goblet cell expansion induced by parenteral nutrition in the small intestine of piglets.

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) impairs small intestine development and is associated with barrier failure, inflammation, and acidomucin goblet cell expansion in neonatal piglets. We examined the relationship between intestinal goblet cell expansion and molecular and cellular indices of inflammation in neonatal piglets receiving TPN, 80% parenteral + 20% enteral nutrition (PEN), or 100% enteral nutrition (control) for 3 or 7 days. Epithelial permeability, T cell numbers, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma mRNA expression, and epithelial proliferation and apoptosis were compared with goblet cell numbers over time. Epithelial permeability was similar to control in the TPN and PEN jejunum at day 3 but increased in the TPN jejunum by day 7. By day 3, intestinal T cell numbers were increased in TPN but not in PEN piglets. However, goblet cell expansion was established by day 3 in both the TPN and PEN ileum. Neither TNF-alpha nor IFN-gamma mRNA expression in the TPN and PEN ileum correlated with goblet cell expansion. Thus goblet cell expansion occurred independently of overt inflammation but in association with parenteral feeding. These data support the hypothesis that goblet cell expansion represents an initial defense triggered by reduced epithelial renewal to prevent intestinal barrier failure.

Animals↗

Testosterone and food restriction modulate hepatic lycopene isomer concentrations in male F344 rats.

We previously demonstrated that the castration of male rats profoundly increases hepatic lycopene compared with intact controls. Here we further characterized the role of testosterone in modulating hepatic lycopene accumulation and isomer patterns in male rats. Furthermore, because castration significantly decreases ad libitum food consumption, we investigated the influence of food restriction on lycopene metabolism. Forty male F344 rats 8 wk of age were randomly assigned to one of four treatments (n = 10/group): 1) intact, free access to food, 2) castration, free access to food, 3) castration plus testosterone implants, free access to food and 4) intact, 20% food restricted. All rats were fed an AIN-based diet with 0.25 g lycopene (as 10% water-soluble beadlets)/kg diet for 3 wk. Serum testosterone was 5.31 +/- 1.46 nmol/L in intact controls allowed free access to food, reduced in castrated animals (0.52 +/- 0.10, P < 0.0001 versus controls) and intact, food-restricted rats (1.53 +/- 0.49 nmol/L, P < 0.0001 versus controls) and greater (17.23 +/- 3.09 nmol/L) in castrated rats administered testosterone (P < 0.0001 versus controls). Castrated rats accumulated approximately twice as much liver lycopene (74.5 +/- 8.5 nmol/g; P < 0.01 versus controls) as intact rats allowed free access to food (39.5 +/- 5.0) despite 13% lower dietary lycopene intake (P < 0.001; 3.38 +/- 0.07 versus 3.95 +/- 0.06 mg lycopene/d). Testosterone replacement in castrated rats returned liver lycopene concentrations (32.5 +/- 5.5 nmol lycopene/g with 3.76 +/- 0.05 mg dietary lycopene/d) to those observed in intact rats. Food restriction resulted in a 20% decrease in lycopene intake but significantly increased liver lycopene by 68% (66.3 +/- 7.9 nmol lycopene/g with 3.38 +/- 0.00 mg lycopene/d) compared with controls and castrated rats administered testosterone. These results suggest that androgen depletion and 20% food restriction increase hepatic lycopene accumulation. We hypothesize an endocrine and dietary interaction, where higher androgen concentrations and greater energy intake may stimulate lycopene metabolism and degradation.

Adrenal Glands↗

Oral IGF-I alters the posttranslational processing but not the activity of lactase-phlorizin hydrolase in formula-fed neonatal pigs.

To determine the cellular mechanism whereby oral insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) increases intestinal lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (LPH) activity, we studied 2-d-old pigs fed cow's milk formula (control, n = 5), formula + low IGF-I (0.5 mg/L; n = 6) or formula + high IGF-I (12.0 mg/L, n = 6) for 15 d. On d 15, intestinal protein synthesis and lactase processing were measured in vivo in fed pigs using a 6-h intravenous, overlapping infusion of multiple stable isotopes (2H(3)-Leu, 13C(1)-Leu, 13C(1)-Phe, 2H(5)-Phe, 13C(6)-Phe and 13C(9)-Phe). Morphometry and cell proliferation also were measured in the jejunum and ileum. Neither dose of IGF-I affected the masses of wet tissue, protein or DNA, or the villus height, cell proliferation or LPH-specific activity. Oral IGF-I decreased the synthesis and abundance of prolactase-phlorizin hydrolase (pro-LPH), but increased brush-border (BB)-LPH synthesis in the ileum. The BB-LPH processing efficiency was twofold to threefold greater in IGF-fed than in control pigs. In all pigs, villus height and the total mucosal and specific activity of LPH activity were greater in the ileum than in the jejunum, yet the synthesis of BB-LPH were significantly lower in the ileum than in the jejunum. We conclude that oral IGF-I increases the processing efficiency of pro-LPH to BB-LPH but does not affect LPH activity. Moreover, the posttranslational processing of BB-LPH is markedly lower in the ileum than in the jejunum.

Administration, Oral↗

Intestinal protein and LPH synthesis in parenterally fed piglets receiving partial enteral nutrition and enteral insulinlike growth factor 1.

BACKGROUND: Providing partial enteral nutrition (PEN) supplemented with insulinlike growth factor-1 (IGF-1) to parenterally fed piglets increases lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (LPH) activity, but not LPH mRNA. The current aim was to investigate potential mechanisms by which IGF-1 up-regulates LPH activity. METHODS: Newborn piglets (n = 15) received 100% parenteral nutrition (TPN), 80% parenteral nutrition + 20% parenteral nutrition (PEN), or PEN + IGF-1 (1.0 mg. kg-1. d-1) for 7 days. On day 7, [2H3]-leucine was intravenously administered to measure mucosal protein and brush border LPH (BB LPH) synthesis. RESULTS: Weight gain, nutrient intake, and jejunal weight and length were similar among the treatment groups. Partial enteral nutrition alone increased mucosal weight, villus width and cross-sectional area, LPH activity, mRNA expression, and high mannose LPH precursor (proLPHh) abundance compared with TPN (P<0.05). Insulinlike growth factor-1 further increased mucosal weight, LPH activity, and LPH activity per unit BB LPH approximately twofold over PEN alone (P < 0.05) but did not affect LPH mRNA or the abundance of proLPHh (one of the LPH isoforms) or mature LPH. Isotopic enrichment of [2H3]-leucine in plasma, mucosal protein, and LPH precursors, and the fractional and absolute synthesis rates of mucosal protein and LPH were similar among the treatment groups. Insulinlike growth factor-1 treatment increased total mucosal protein synthesis (60%, P < 0.05) but not LPH synthesis compared with the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Because IGF-1 did not affect the fractional synthesis rate of either mucosal protein or LPH, the authors suggest that enteral IGF-1 increases mucosal protein mass and LPH activity by suppressing mucosal proteolytic degradation.

Animals↗

Time course changes in IGFBP-1 after treadmill exercise and postexercise food intake in rats.

Prolonged exercise increases circulating insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) in humans and animals, but its physiological significance is unknown. This study examined 1) time-course changes in plasma IGFBP-1 and hepatic IGFBP-1 mRNA expression after exercise, 2) changes in IGFBP-1 in relation to plasma glucose, insulin, and IGF-I, and 3) the impact of feeding a postexercise meal on the IGFBP-1 response. Food-deprived male rats were vigorously run on a treadmill and compared with nonexercised controls at 15 min and 1, 4, 8, and 12 h after exercise. Circulating insulin concentrations in exercised rats were lower than in controls at 15 min and 1 h, whereas plasma glucose and IGF-I remained unaffected. Circulating and hepatic expression of IGFBP-1 was markedly increased above that of controls at 15 min, 1 h, and 12 h. In a separate experiment, one-half of the exercised animals received a nutritionally complete meal immediately after the experimental run. The meal elevated plasma insulin and glucose concentrations at 15 min and 1 h. Despite this change in nutritional status, serum IGFBP-1 concentrations and hepatic IGFBP-1 abundance remained elevated at 15 min and 1 h. These results demonstrate that the IGFBP-1 response to a single bout of treadmill exercise is short in duration and independent of insulin, glucose, and amino acid availability.

Animals↗

Transgenic alteration of sow milk to improve piglet growth and health.

There are many potential applications of transgenic methodologies for developing new and improved strains of livestock. One practical application of transgenic technology in pig production is to improve milk production or composition. The first week after parturition is the period of greatest loss for pig producers, with highest morbidity and mortality attributed to malnutrition and scours. Despite the benefits to be gained by improving lactation performance, little progress has been made in this area through genetic selection or nutrition. Transgenic technology provides an important tool for addressing the problem of low milk production and its detrimental impact on pig production. Transgenic pigs over-expressing the milk protein bovine alpha-lactalbumin were developed. alpha-Lactalbumin was selected for its role in lactose synthesis and regulation of milk volume. Sows hemizygous for the transgene produced as much as 0.9 g bovine alpha-lactalbumin l-1 pig milk. The outcomes assessed were milk composition, milk yield and piglet growth. First parity alpha-lactalbumin gilts had higher milk lactose content in early lactation and 20-50% greater milk yield on days 3-9 of lactation than did non-transgenic gilts. Weight gain of piglets suckling alpha-lactalbumin gilts was greater (days 7-21 after parturition) than that of control piglets. Thus, transgenic over-expression of milk proteins may provide a means for improving the lactation performance of pigs.

Animals↗

Investigation of three doses of oral insulin-like growth factor-I on jejunal lactase phlorizin hydrolase activity and gene expression and enterocyte proliferation and migration in piglets.

In a previous study, oral IGF-I at 65 nM increased lactase phlorizin hydrolase (LPH) activity and villus height in piglets, however, the mechanisms were unknown. Herein, the response to a range of doses of IGF-I was investigated and we hypothesized that LPH and villus height would respond to oral IGF-I in a dose-dependent manner. Two 14-d experiments were conducted using cesarean-derived piglets. In experiment 1, piglets (n = 28) were fed formula containing 0, 33, 65, or 131 nmol/L (0, 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/L) recombinant human IGF-I. In experiment 2, 5'-bromodeoxyuridine was administered to piglets fed formula alone (n = 4) or containing 131 nmol/L IGF-I (n = 4). IGF-I did not affect body weight gain or intestinal weight or length. Jejunal villus height and LPH activity were significantly greater in piglets fed 131 nmol IGF-I/L than control piglets. Villus height and lactase activity in piglets fed the 33 and 65 nmol/L IGF-I doses were similar and intermediate between control and 131 nmol IGF-I/L. Jejunal mRNA expression and LPH polypeptide abundance were investigated in piglets receiving 0 or 131 nmol/L IGF-I. Steady state LPH mRNA abundance was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in IGF-I-treated piglets. The relative abundance of proLPH(h) was not significantly increased (p = 0.06) by IGF-I treatment. Mucosal DNA content and DNA synthesis were greater in piglets receiving 131 nmol IGF-I/L than control, however, enterocyte migration and mucosal protein content were unaffected. Thus, oral IGF-I increased jejunal LPH activity and LPH mRNA abundance and stimulated intestinal cell hyperplasia in normal piglets.

Animals↗

Perturbations in factors that modulate osteoblast functions in vitamin B6 deficiency.

It was hypothesized that the widespread structural defect of collagen in connective tissue of vitamin B6 deficient-animals and the consequent alteration in bone biomechanical properties cause an additional stress to their inflamed swollen tibiotarsometatarsal joints. The present study showed a 32% elevation (P < 0.02) in mean plasma free cortisol concentration. Vitamin D metabolism was impaired but without changing plasma calcium homeostasis and bone mineral content. Mean plasma calcitriol [1,25(OH)2D] concentration was significantly reduced (P < 0.001). Because plasma calcidiol concentration did not change, we speculated that either renal 25-hydroxycalciferol-1alpha-hydroxylase activity was reduced or 1,25(OH)2D turnover was increased. Plasma osteocalcin, an index of osteoblast function related to bone formation, was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). This adverse effect on osteoblasts was consistent with the reduction of bone specific alkaline phosphatase activity (another index of bone formation) found in a previous study. The excess of cortisol may have impaired these bone cells functions directly and (or) indirectly via the decline in calcitriol synthesis. Plasma hydroxyproline concentrations in B6-deficient animals were found to be significantly reduced (P < 0.001), suggesting that cortisol in excess had also a suppressive effect on another hydroxylase, namely tissue (mainly bone and liver) prolyl hydroxylase. The bone uncoupling (in formation and resorption) associated with vitamin B6 deficiency seems to be due to secondary hypercortisolism and (or) another unknown factors but not related to a change in bone modulators such as IGF-1 and eicosanoids.

Animals↗

Bone metabolism and circulating IGF-I and IGFBPs in dexamethasone-treated preterm infants.

AIM: To characterize the ontogeny of circulating IGF-I, the IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) and biochemical markers of bone turnover in dexamethasone (DEX)-treated preterm infants with chronic lung disease. METHODS: Plasma and urine samples from 17 infants were obtained prior to DEX, after 9-12 days of DEX and 10 days after the completion of DEX to assess plasma IGF-I, IGFBPs, osteocalcin and urinary N-telopeptide. Nutrient intakes and growth were monitored from birth until term corrected age at which time body composition was evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Although nutrient intakes did not differ during or after DEX, weight gain (115 vs. 174 g/week) and length gain (0.7 vs. 1.0 cm/week) were higher after DEX treatment. Plasma IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and osteocalcin increased over time. N-telopeptide was the only biochemical parameter which appeared to be suppressed during DEX (1342 nM bone collagen equivalents/mM creatinine vs. 2486 (pre-DEX) and 2292 (post-DEX)). At term corrected age, bone mineral content was lower in dexamethasone-treated infants compared to preterm and term reference infants. CONCLUSION: Changes in circulating IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3 paralleled the changes reported in non-steroid-treated infants; however, it remains uncertain whether the natural rise in IGF-I was suppressed by DEX treatment. Assessment of these circulating components provided limited insight into the mechanisms by which DEX alters growth and bone turnover.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Dietary fat during pregnancy and lactation increases milk fat and insulin-like growth factor I concentrations and improves neonatal growth rates in swine.

Primiparous (n = 24) and multiparous (n = 24) sows were used to examine the effects of supplemental dietary fat and induction of parturition (d 112) on colostrum and milk composition and suckling piglet growth. Sows were assigned to one of eight treatments on d 90 of gestation that included variables such as parity (1 vs. >/=3), dietary fat (0 vs. 10%), and farrowing (natural vs. induction via lutalyse on d 112). Piglets suckling fat-supplemented dams grew up to 25% faster than control pigs nursing unsupplemented sows (250 vs. 200 g/d; P < 0.01). Improved growth was correlated with elevated milk fat and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) concentrations associated with fat supplementation. Dietary fat elevated milk fat concentration at 48 and 72 h postfarrowing by 21.6 and 22.6%, respectively (P < 0.05). Compared with nonfat-fed controls, multiparous sows fed 10% fat showed a more consistent rise in milk fat concentration, with 26% and 41% elevations for induced or naturally farrowing sows, respectively, vs. a 19% reduction or a 1% elevation in induced or naturally farrowing gilts (P < 0.01). The concentration of milk IGF-I tended to be lower in gilts than in multiparous sows (P < 0.2, 95.7 vs. 117.4 microg/L), and levels were particularly low in milk from induced gilts receiving no additional dietary fat (44.7 microg/L). However, fat supplementation elevated IGF-I to levels (110.6 microg/L) exceeding those measured in unsupplemented, naturally farrowing control sows and gilts (95.8 microg/L). In conclusion, supplemental dietary fat elevates milk fat in multiparous sows more than primiparous gilts regardless of farrowing treatment (induced vs. natural farrowing) and improves piglet growth throughout lactation irrespective of parity or farrowing treatment. The potential of supplemental dietary fat to reverse the reductions in milk IGF-I observed in first-parity females and in dams induced to farrow merits further investigation.

Animals↗

Growth hormone promotes somatic and skeletal muscle growth recovery in rats following chronic protein-energy malnutrition.

The efficacy of recombinant human growth hormone (GH) and/or a diet enriched in protein and energy to improve growth recovery following prolonged malnutrition was examined in male rats food-restricted from birth until 120 d of age. At d 121, restricted rats were randomly assigned to recovery groups receiving either a control or enriched diet with or without daily subcutaneous injections of GH. Rats were killed after 16 or 47 d of recovery. At d 16, GH treatment stimulated liver, heart, plantaris, soleus, carcass and body weight gain and inhibited fat gain when compared to recovery controls. Rats receiving GH also exhibited the highest serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) concentrations and total muscle protein. At d 47, GH effects on body and muscle recovery were minimal, and differences among recovery groups in serum IGF-I concentration and total muscle protein were no longer present. Consumption of an enriched diet increased fat pad and liver mass, but did not promote muscle recovery. There were no differences among treatment groups in skeletal muscle IGF-I mRNA levels at d 16 or 47. In summary, GH had positive effects on somatic and skeletal muscle growth early in the recovery process, possibly via endocrine IGF-I-stimulated protein accretion. In contrast, the enriched diet promoted fat deposition with no impact on skeletal muscle growth recovery.

Adipose Tissue↗

Malnutrition modifies pig small intestinal inflammatory responses to rotavirus.

Infectious diarrheal diseases and malnutrition are major causes of child morbidity and mortality. In this study, malnutrition was superimposed on rotavirus infection in neonatal piglets to simulate the combined intestinal stress of viral enteritis in malnourished infants. Two-day-old piglets were assigned to three treatment groups as follows: 1) noninfected, fully nourished; 2) infected, fully nourished; and 3) infected, malnourished. Intestinal indices of inflammation were monitored over the subsequent 2-wk period. Intestinal damage and diarrhea were observed within 2 d of rotavirus infection and began to subside in nourished piglets by d 9 but persisted through d 16 postinfection in malnourished piglets. Rotavirus upregulated small intestinal expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II genes; malnutrition intensified MHC class I gene expression and suppressed MHC class II expression. Jejunal CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-lymphocyte numbers were elevated for infected, nourished piglets on d 2, 9 and 16 postinfection. Malnutrition did not significantly affect the local expansion of T cell subsets in response to rotavirus. Intestinal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentrations were elevated early after rotavirus infection independent of nutritional state. By d 9, PGE2 concentrations returned to baseline in infected, nourished piglets but remained elevated in malnourished piglets, corresponding to diarrhea observations. Together, the results identify intestinal indices of inflammation that are modulated by malnutrition and prompt reconsideration of current models of rotavirus pathophysiology.

Animals↗

Enteral insulin-like growth factor-I augments intestinal disaccharidase activity in piglets receiving total parenteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Partial enteral nutrition is administered to infants on parenteral nutrition to stimulate intestinal function. Herein, the hypothesis that supplementation of partial enteral nutrition with insulin-like growth factor-I would augment intestinal development was investigated. METHODS: One-day-old piglets (n = 29) were randomly assigned to five dietary treatment groups: 100% of energy as enteral formula, 100% of energy as total parenteral nutrition, or 80% parenteral nutrition/20% enteral formula supplemented with either 0, 0.2, or 1 mg/kg insulin-like growth factor-I for 7 days. Weight gain, intestinal weight, morphology, protein, and DNA content and disaccharidase activity and mRNA expression were assessed. RESULTS: Parenterally fed piglets had similar whole body weight gain and serum hormone concentrations but reduced intestinal mucosal weight, villus height, and sucrase and lactase activity compared with 100% enterally fed pigs. Partial enteral nutrition alone increased mucosal weight and protein content, villus height, and disaccharidase activity compared with 100% parenterally fed piglets. No effect of the lower dose of insulin-like growth factor-I (0.2 mg/kg per day) was observed, but supplementing partial enteral nutrition with 1 mg insulin-like growth factor-I/kg further increased villus width and cross-sectional area and disaccharidase activity compared with partial enteral nutrition alone. Lactase mRNA expression was not affected by insulin-like growth factor-I, suggesting that the primary site of regulation of lactase by insulin-like growth factor-I occurs after transcription. CONCLUSIONS: Enteral insulin-like growth factor-I augmented intestinal morphology and disaccharidase activity in parenterally fed piglets over that observed with partial enteral nutrition alone. Thus enteral insulin-like growth factor-I may represent an efficacious clinical adjunct to promote intestinal development of parenterally fed neonates.

Animals↗

Delivery of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) via umbilical catheterization: development of a piglet model to investigate therapies to improve gastrointestinal structure and enzyme activity during TPN.

Nutritional support of preterm infants by total parental nutrition (TPN) is common; however, TPN compromises intestinal structure and enzyme activity. Our goal was to develop a piglet model to assess the effect of limited enteral stimulation with formula and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) on intestinal morphology and enzyme activity. A nutritionally complete TPN solution was infused for 7 days and piglets were gavaged twice daily with 4 ml sterile water, formula, or formula containing 1,000 micrograms/l IGF-I. Litter mate piglets fed formula served as orally fed controls. On day 7, body weights and plasma hormone profiles of TPN and orally fed piglets were similar. However, intestinal weight, jejunal and ileal villus height and surface area, and mucosal lactase and sucrase activity of TPN piglets was reduced by approximately 50%. No effect of limited enteral stimulation or IGF-I was observed likely due to the small volume of formula administered enterally, which resulted in a low dose of IGF-I (4.3 micrograms IGF-I/kg/day).

Amino Acids↗

Dexamethasone-induced abnormalities in growth and bone metabolism in piglets are partially attenuated by growth hormone with no synergistic effect of insulin-like growth factor-I.

Dexamethasone (DEX) therapy improves pulmonary compliance in premature infants with chronic lung disease; however, normal growth and bone development are impaired. Because DEX may mediate its effects by altering the GH-IGF-I axis, we investigated whether adjunctive therapy with GH or GH + IGF-I during DEX therapy could attenuate these DEX-induced effects. Piglets were randomized to placebo, oral tapered DEX (0.5, 0.3, and 0.2 mg kg(-1) d(-1) over 14 d), DEX + GH (0.1 mg kg(-1) d(-1)) or DEX + GH + IGF-I (0.1 mg kg(-1) d(-1)). Final whole body weight and length were improved with GH or GH + IGF-I compared with the DEX alone group. Plasma GH and IGF-I were not influenced by DEX, but infusion of IGF-I resulted in higher (p < 0.05) plasma IGF-I compared with all other groups at d 15. DEX reduced (p < 0.05) circulating IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3 and liver IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-4 mRNA expression compared with controls. Treatment with DEX alone resulted in lower (p < 0.05) plasma osteocalcin, urinary N-telopeptide, and whole body and femur bone mineral density compared with controls, whereas results with piglets receiving adjunctive GH or GH + IGF-I were similar to those of controls. Given adjunctively, GH alone appears to partially counter the abnormalities in growth and bone metabolism associated with DEX therapy; however, this improvement cannot be attributed to higher circulating IGF-I, because combined therapy did not further improve growth or bone homeostasis compared with DEX + GH treatment. Growth hormone therapy has the potential to stimulate growth in infants exposed to steroid treatment.

Animals↗