Intestinal resection affects whole-body arginine synthesis in neonatal piglets

Previous studies in piglets show a direct relationship between intestinal mass and arginine (Arg) synthesis. We aimed to study the effects of 75% intestinal resection on whole-body Arg synthesis.

Piglets were allocated to sham or jejunocolic (JC) surgery and to enteral nutrition (EN) at 20% [sham (n = 8), JC (n = 10)], or 40% [sham (n = 4), JC (n = 5)]. A gastric tube was placed for EN and a venous catheter for parenteral nutrition and blood sampling. On day 6, a primed bolus and constant infusion of Arg m + 2 label and proline m + 1 label was delivered. In addition, 40% EN piglets received a citrulline (Cit) m + 3 tracer. Blood sampling was undertaken and whole-body Arg synthesis was calculated. On day 7, intestinal length was measured, and samples were collected for gene expression (PCR quantification) and histopathology.

On Day 7, sham piglets showed intestinal lengthening compared to JC (p = 0.02). Whole-body Arg synthesis was similar between groups (p = 0.50). Adjusting for absolute small intestinal length, JC piglets had greater Arg synthesis (p = 0.01). Expression of arginosuccinase was upregulated in the jejunum of JC compared to sham on 20% EN (p = 0.03).

This demonstrates for the first-time adaptive changes in intestinal Arg synthesis following intestinal resection.

The intestine makes a critical contribution to whole-body arginine synthesis, particularly in neonates, a human population at risk for short bowel syndrome. Therefore, we studied intestinal arginine synthesis in a neonatal piglet model of short bowel syndrome and demonstrated adaptive changes in the intestine that may preserve whole-body arginine synthesis, despite loss of intestinal mass. This research adds new information to our understanding of the effects a massive intestinal resection has on amino acid metabolism during neonatal development.