Effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 on Short bowel syndrome without ileocecal valve in rats

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) can promote enterocyte proliferation which may be beneficial to postoperative conditions after massive small bowel resection (SBR) including the ileocecal valve (ICV). Wistar rats were subjected to SBR including or preserving ICV and continuously received IGF-1 or saline alone. Nutritional status, enterocyte proliferation, liver damage and hepatic IGF-1 mRNA levels were analyzed. Body weights, serum levels of total protein and transferrin, and enterocyte proliferation were significantly lower after SBR including ICV than preserving it. IGF-1 mRNA levels in the liver were decreased after SBR, especially after SBR including ICV. However, IGF-1 therapy significantly attenuated those decreased levels after SBR including ICV. Furthermore, IGF-1 significantly decreased serum liver transaminase levels which were increased after SBR including ICV. Continuous administration of IGF-1 may be available as a supplemented therapy for short bowel syndrome without ICV.