Trophic effects of neurotensin in massive bowel resection in the rat

The trophic effect of the administration of exogenous neurotensin on the intestinal mucosa was studied in rats following an 80% bowel resection. Villus length and mucosal DNA content were assessed in the jejunal and ileal mucosa of the remnant intestine 14 days after resection. The data obtained in an 80% resected control group (80% group) and an experimental group receiving an infusion of neurotensin (300 micrograms/kg/day) for 14 days subcutaneously (80% + NT group) were compared. The results indicate that the administration of exogenous neurotensin (80% + NT) increases villus length (jejunum: 920 +/- 77 vs 861 +/- 25 microns and ileum length: 975 +/- 23 vs 875 +/- 99 microns) to an extent greater than that observed in the 80% resected group not receiving exogenous neurotensin. The levels of mucosal DNA per milligram of protein increased significantly in both groups but was paradoxically less in the 80% + NT group than in the 80% resection group (jejunum: 8.12 +/- 0.56 vs 10.18 +/- 0.80; ileum: 8.63 +/- 0.43 vs 10.05 +/- 0.46). These data suggest that the administration of exogenous neurotensin to the rat potentiates the growth of intestinal villi and accelerates the intestinal trophic response seen following massive bowel resection. The increase in circulating enteroglucagon levels noted after neurotensin administration (80% + NT: 547 +/- 48 pg/ml vs 80%: 341 +/- 41 pg/ml) suggests that some of the trophic effects of neurotensin may be mediated, at least in part, by enteroglucagon. These data also suggest a potential role for the use of neurotensin in the initial treatment of individuals with short bowel syndrome.