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Published on: June 29, 2013
Impairment of nutrient uptake in a rabbit model of gastroschisis
K Shaw1, T L Buchmiller, M Curr
1Department of Surgery, UCLA School of Medicine 90024.
Insights
Gastroschisis (GS) impairs fetal small intestine nutrient absorption, impacting proline and glucose uptake. This study reveals significantly reduced nutrient absorption capacities in GS fetuses, suggesting prenatal factors contribute to intestinal dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Fetal surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Infants with gastroschisis (GS) often experience intestinal dysfunction, necessitating prolonged hospitalization and parenteral nutrition.
- Understanding prepartum intestinal function in GS is crucial for improving infant outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate prepartum small intestinal (SI) nutrient absorption in a fetal rabbit model of gastroschisis (GS).
- To assess the uptake of an amino acid (proline) and a sugar (glucose) in GS fetuses compared to controls.
Main Methods:
- A fetal rabbit model of GS was created surgically on gestational day 24.
- The everted mucosal sleeve technique was used to measure nutrient uptake in GS and control (C) fetuses.
- Uptake of proline and glucose was quantified per unit of SI and as total uptake capacity.
Main Results:
- GS fetuses exhibited significantly reduced body weight, SI weight, and SI length compared to controls.
- Uptake of proline per milligram SI, proline per centimeter SI, and glucose per milligram SI were significantly impaired in GS fetuses.
- Total SI uptake capacities for both proline and glucose were significantly reduced in GS fetuses.
Conclusions:
- Prepartum small intestinal nutrient absorption is significantly impaired in the gastroschisis model.
- These findings suggest that intestinal dysfunction in gastroschisis may originate prenatally.
- Reduced nutrient absorption capacity in fetal GS highlights potential targets for early intervention.
Abstract:
Infants with gastroschisis (GS) commonly require total parenteral nutrition and prolonged hospitalization because of intestinal dysfunction resulting from dysmotility and/or malabsorption. To investigate prepartum small intestinal (SI) nutrient absorption in GS, a fetal rabbit model was surgically created on gestational day 24 (term, 31 to 33 days) in 11 time-mated New Zealand White does in each left ovarian-end fetus. Each right ovarian-end fetus served as a control (C) and was manipulated only. All does, 10 of 11 GS fetuses (91%), and 8 of 11 C fetuses (73%) survived to gestational day 30. GS fetuses had significantly reduced total body weights, SI weights, and SI lengths compared with C fetuses. Using the everted mucosal sleeve technique, the uptakes of an amino acid (proline) and a sugar (glucose) were determined. The uptakes of proline per milligram SI, proline per centimeter SI, and glucose per milligram SI were significantly impaired in GS fetuses compared with C fetuses (P < .04 by Student's paired t test). The uptake of glucose per centimeter SI was also reduced in GS fetuses, but not significantly. Uptake capacities (a measure of the entire SI's ability to absorb a given nutrient) were significantly reduced in GS fetuses compared with C fetuses (proline, 2,670 +/- 612 nmol/min/entire SI v 6,842 +/- 399 nmol/min/entire SI, P < .008 by Student's paired t test; glucose, 402 +/- 69 nmol/min/entire SI v 950 +/- 103, P < .008 by Student's paired t test).
