Effect of zinc deficiency on mucosal hyperplasia following 70% bowel resection

We evaluated the effect of zinc deficiency on the development of mucosal hyperplasia in male Sprague-Dawley rats following 70% small-bowel resection: 20 underwent 70% jejunoileal resection, another 20 were sham operated. Half of each group were made zinc deficient by force-feeding technique. Operations were then performed, and feedings were continued for another 9 days. While mucosal weight did not differ between zinc-deficient and zinc-replete animals, whether or not they underwent resection, mucosal protein and DNA levels were decreased in both resected and sham-operated, zinc-deficient animals. Functional indices were also affected. Maltase activities were decreased in zinc-deficient animals in the midileum. Mucosal zinc-dependent enzymes, alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase, were likewise depressed in zinc-deficient animals. Findings suggest that zinc deficiency in short-bowel syndrome will likely impair mucosal hyperplasia.