Impairment of nutrient uptake in a rabbit model of gastroschisis.

Abstract

Infants with gastroschisis (GS) commonly require total parenteral nutrition and prolonged hospitalization because of intestinal dysfunction resulting from dysmotility and/or malabsorption. To investigate prepartum small intestinal (SI) nutrient absorption in GS, a fetal rabbit model was surgically created on gestational day 24 (term, 31 to 33 days) in 11 time-mated New Zealand White does in each left ovarian-end fetus. Each right ovarian-end fetus served as a control (C) and was manipulated only. All does, 10 of 11 GS fetuses (91%), and 8 of 11 C fetuses (73%) survived to gestational day 30. GS fetuses had significantly reduced total body weights, SI weights, and SI lengths compared with C fetuses. Using the everted mucosal sleeve technique, the uptakes of an amino acid (proline) and a sugar (glucose) were determined. The uptakes of proline per milligram SI, proline per centimeter SI, and glucose per milligram SI were significantly impaired in GS fetuses compared with C fetuses (P < .04 by Student's paired t test). The uptake of glucose per centimeter SI was also reduced in GS fetuses, but not significantly. Uptake capacities (a measure of the entire SI's ability to absorb a given nutrient) were significantly reduced in GS fetuses compared with C fetuses (proline, 2,670 +/- 612 nmol/min/entire SI v 6,842 +/- 399 nmol/min/entire SI, P < .008 by Student's paired t test; glucose, 402 +/- 69 nmol/min/entire SI v 950 +/- 103, P < .008 by Student's paired t test).

• Authors: K Shaw, T L Buchmiller, M Curr, M M Lam, R Habib, H L Chopourian, J M Diamond, E W Fonkalsrud
• Journal: Journal of pediatric surgery (J Pediatr Surg) Vol. 29 Issue 3 Pg. 376-8 (Mar 1994) ISSN: 0022-3468 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8201500 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Proline
• Glucose

Topics

• Abdominal Muscles (abnormalities)
• Animals
• Body Weight
• Congenital Abnormalities (metabolism, pathology, physiopathology)
• Female
• Glucose (pharmacokinetics)
• Intestinal Absorption
• Intestine, Small (metabolism, physiopathology)
• Models, Biological
• Organ Size
• Placental Insufficiency (metabolism, pathology, physiopathology)
• Pregnancy
• Proline (pharmacokinetics)
• Rabbits