[How does the islet cell organ react to glucose following extensive resection of the small intestine?]

Changes in the functional connection between the small bowel and Langerhans islet cells after extensive small bowel resection were analyzed. The extension of resection chosen were as follow: resection of proximal small bowel (75%), resection of distal small bowel (66%), resection of ileum (45%). 28 days after operation we examined the reaction of endocrine pancreas with the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance and with the isolated perfused pancreas on glucose stimulation. After extensive resection of the proximal small bowel we found a decreased sensitivity of islet cells on glucose stimulation. This reaction was similar to that observed in diabetes mellitus. Glucose tolerance, insulin- and pancreatic glucagon release in rats after ileum resection were almost normal. In this case we found a reduced level of fasting plasma glucose and of the basal insulin. This was accompanied with an increased food intake during the postoperative period.