Gut adaptation and the insulin-like growth factor system: regulation by glutamine and IGF-I administration

Intestinal adaptation after extensive small bowel resection in rats is augmented by the provision of diets supplemented with the amino acid glutamine (Gln) or by administration of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). The goal of this study was to investigate potential synergistic effects of Gln and IGF-I on postresection ileal hyperplasia. Rats underwent 80% small bowel resection (SBR) and then were fed low-Gln or L-Gln-enriched diets and subcutaneously given recombinant human IGF-I or vehicle for 7 days. Gln and IGF-I each significantly enhanced adaptive ileal hyperplasia (DNA content) compared with rats receiving vehicle and low-Gln diet. Ileal DNA content was highest when IGF-I was administered together with Gln supplementation. Combined IGF-I plus Gln synergistically increased ileal weight and protein content. This was associated with higher plasma concentrations of IGF-I and Gln than observed when IGF-I or Gln was given individually. Ileal IGF-I mRNA expression rose nearly twofold during gut adaptation after SBR; this response was augmented with IGF-I administration but was unaltered by Gln feeding. In contrast, dietary Gln, but not IGF-I therapy, prevented a decrease in hepatic IGF-I mRNA induced by SBR. We conclude that parenteral IGF-I and enteral Gln have both individual and synergistic effects on ileal adaptation after massive small intestinal resection. These findings support the concept that specific gut-trophic nutrients and growth factors may be combined to enhance intestinal adaptation and possibly reduce the severity of short bowel syndrome after intestinal resection.