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The effect of short-term starvation on mucosal barrier function in the newborn rabbit
Insights
Short-term starvation in newborn rabbits impairs intestinal barrier function, increasing susceptibility to infections and allergies. This highlights the critical role of early nutrition in infant gut health.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Newborns often experience feeding difficulties impacting nutrient intake.
- Impaired intestinal development and mucosal barrier function can lead to increased infections and allergen sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of short-term neonatal starvation on small intestine mucosal barrier function.
- To establish and utilize a neonatal rabbit model for studying nutrient deprivation.
Main Methods:
- Neonatal rabbits were starved for 72 hours; controls were naturally fed.
- Mucosal barrier function assessed by measuring serum bovine serum albumin (BSA) after BSA gavage.
- Small intestinal trypsin activity and jejunal morphology were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Starved rabbits showed significantly higher serum immunoreactive BSA levels post-gavage.
- Significantly decreased small intestinal trypsin-like activity was observed in starved animals.
- Microscopic examination revealed cuboidal enterocytes with fewer/smaller granules in malnourished rabbits.
Conclusions:
- Short-term starvation in newborns compromises intestinal mucosal barrier function.
- Acute starvation may increase the risk of infections and allergic diseases in neonates.
- Early nutrition is crucial for maintaining intestinal integrity and health in newborns.
Abstract:
The compromised human newborn frequently presents with overwhelming feeding problems which lead to inadequate intake. These problems may affect the development of the small intestine, especially mucosal barrier function, leading to increased infections and susceptibility to allergens. To study this, an animal model was established using neonatal rabbits deprived of nutrients from birth until 72 h. Mucosal barrier function was compared in deprived and control (naturally fed 72-h-old animals) rabbits by measuring immunoreactive bovine serum albumin in serum 4 h after intragastric infusion of crystalline bovine serum albumin (200 mg/100 g body weight). Trypsin activity was measured in rinse fluid obtained from the small intestine. Representative sections of jejunum from control and experimental animals were formalin fixed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for morphologic comparison. Following the bovine serum albumin feeding, a significantly increased serum immunoreactive bovine serum albumin and significantly decreased trypsin-like activity of the small intestinal rinse fluid was noted in starved animals compared to controls. In addition, the enterocytes of malnourished animals were more cuboidal and contained fewer and smaller supranuclear granules on microscopic examination than the enterocytes of controls. This study suggests that short-term starvation in newborns affects mucosal barrier function. Acute starvation may place newborns at increased risk for infections and allergic disease.