[Metabolic and histological changes induced in the rat by massive resection of the small intestine]

The aim of this paper was o study the long-term changes induced in the rat as a consequence of a 90% resection of small intestine. At 6 months after operation the surviving rats were stable and showed: hypoproteinemia, hyperlipemia, and a decrease of bile flow, total lipids, and cholesterol of bile. What residual intestine concern there was an increase in length and size, and decreased transit time; stomach, duodenum and colon too showed increase size. Histologically there was hypertrophy of villi, regressive changes of pancreas and kidney, as well as deposit of iron in the kidney. The reasons for these changes are discussed.