Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Protein Metabolism

Overview of Protein Metabolism

Proteins are broken down into amino acids during digestion. Unlike fats and carbohydrates, which are stored for later use, proteins are not. Instead, amino acids are either used to produce ATP through oxidation or contribute to the creation of new proteins for the growth and repair of the body. Any surplus amino acids from the diet are converted into glucose or triglycerides rather than excreted.
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis

Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...

Intestinal Obstruction I: Introduction

Intestinal Obstruction I: Introduction

Intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the small or large intestine that disrupts the normal flow of intestinal contents through the lumen. This interruption impairs digestion, absorption, and fluid balance, and may lead to serious complications if not treated promptly.Mechanical ObstructionMechanical obstruction occurs when a physical blockage prevents intestinal contents from passing, arising from within the lumen or the bowel wall, or from external compression.Adhesions,...

Intestinal Obstruction II: Pathophysiology

Intestinal Obstruction II: Pathophysiology

Intestinal obstruction triggers a series of physiological responses, starting with gas and fluid accumulation in the bowel segment proximal to the obstruction, leading to distension. This distended intestine compresses the diaphragm, hindering lung expansion and potentially leading to reduced respiratory effort, atelectasis, and pneumonia.To overcome the blockage, the gut intensifies contractions, causing colicky abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, which reduces fluid and food intake and...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Relation of Physicians to the Public-Medical Jurisprudence.

Texas medical journal (Austin, Tex.)·2023

Same author

Prelacteal versus early infant feeding and morbidity in Timor-Leste.

Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition·2014

Same author

Inpatient management of severe malnutrition: time for a change in protocol and practice.

Annals of tropical paediatrics·2011

Same author

Locally produced ready-to-use supplementary food is an effective treatment of moderate acute malnutrition in an operational setting.

Annals of tropical paediatrics·2010

Same author

Comparison of Fourier and laser spectroscopy in the far-infrared-submillimeter range.

Applied optics·2010

Same author

Novel mutations in abetalipoproteinaemia and homozygous familial hypobetalipoproteinaemia.

Journal of inherited metabolic disease·2007

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 26, 2026

Ex Vivo Intestinal Sacs to Assess Mucosal Permeability in Models of Gastrointestinal Disease

Ex Vivo Intestinal Sacs to Assess Mucosal Permeability in Models of Gastrointestinal Disease

Published on: February 9, 2016

Intestinal permeability in kwashiorkor

D R Brewster¹, M J Manary, I S Menzies

¹College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi.

Archives of Disease in Childhood

|March 1, 1997

Summary

Abnormal intestinal permeability is common in kwashiorkor and linked to severe illness. The lactulose-rhamnose (L-R) test showed slow improvement in gut integrity despite nutritional rehabilitation.

Area of Science:

Pediatric Nutrition
Gastroenterology
Clinical Medicine

Background:

Intestinal permeability, a key indicator of small intestinal integrity, can be assessed non-invasively using the lactulose-rhamnose (L-R) test.
Kwashiorkor, a severe form of malnutrition, is suspected to involve compromised gut barrier function.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify risk factors associated with abnormal intestinal permeability in children with kwashiorkor.
To evaluate the changes in L-R ratios during inpatient nutritional rehabilitation for kwashiorkor.

Main Methods:

A case-control study involving 149 children with kwashiorkor and 45 hospital controls in Malawi.
The lactulose-rhamnose (L-R) test was administered weekly during nutritional rehabilitation.
Urine sugar levels were quantified using thin-layer chromatography.

More Related Videos

In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches to Determine Intestinal Epithelial Cell Permeability

In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches to Determine Intestinal Epithelial Cell Permeability

Published on: October 19, 2018

Measuring the Effects of Bacteria and Chemicals on the Intestinal Permeability of Caenorhabditis elegans

Measuring the Effects of Bacteria and Chemicals on the Intestinal Permeability of Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: December 3, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 26, 2026

Ex Vivo Intestinal Sacs to Assess Mucosal Permeability in Models of Gastrointestinal Disease

Ex Vivo Intestinal Sacs to Assess Mucosal Permeability in Models of Gastrointestinal Disease

Published on: February 9, 2016

In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches to Determine Intestinal Epithelial Cell Permeability

In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches to Determine Intestinal Epithelial Cell Permeability

Published on: October 19, 2018

Measuring the Effects of Bacteria and Chemicals on the Intestinal Permeability of Caenorhabditis elegans

Measuring the Effects of Bacteria and Chemicals on the Intestinal Permeability of Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: December 3, 2019

Main Results:

Kwashiorkor cases exhibited significantly higher L-R ratios (17.3) compared to controls (7.0), indicating impaired intestinal permeability.
Abnormal permeability in kwashiorkor was associated with increased mortality, oliguria, sepsis, diarrhea, wasting, and younger age.
Despite clinical recovery, L-R ratios showed minimal improvement over the treatment period.

Conclusions:

Abnormal intestinal permeability is a significant correlate of disease severity in kwashiorkor.
Gut barrier function, as measured by L-R ratios, improves very slowly even with effective nutritional rehabilitation.