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Small-intestinal changes induced by an elemental diet (Vivonex) in normal rats
Clinical Science and Molecular Medicine
|November 1, 1978
Summary
Elemental diets like Vivonex significantly alter rat jejunal histology. Studies show a reduced crypt height to villus height ratio, indicating improved enterocyte survival with elemental diet feeding.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Histology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Elemental diets are used in clinical nutrition.
- The impact of long-term elemental diet feeding on intestinal morphology requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of the elemental diet Vivonex on rat jejunal histology and function.
- To compare the jejunal histology of rats fed Vivonex with those on a normal diet.
Main Methods:
- Rats were fed Vivonex or a normal diet for 1 or 3 months.
- Jejunal histology, including crypt height and villus height, was analyzed.
- Jejunal protein content and enzyme activities (alkaline phosphatase, lactase, sucrase, maltase) were measured.
Main Results:
- A significant reduction in the crypt height: villus height ratio was observed in Vivonex-fed rats after both 1 and 3 months.
- After 3 months, villus height significantly increased and crypt height decreased in Vivonex-fed rats.
- Alkaline phosphatase activity increased in Vivonex-fed rats, while disaccharidase activities remained unchanged.
Conclusions:
- Elemental diet feeding, specifically Vivonex, leads to significant changes in jejunal morphology.
- The observed decrease in the crypt height: villus height ratio suggests enhanced survival of mature enterocytes.
