341 - Significance of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition on Gut Characteristics in the Neonatal Piglet Model

Poster Number: 341
Publication Number: 341.134

Bianca F. Rad, Children's Hospital of the University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, United States; Muthusamy Thiruppathi, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Kelly A. Tappenden, University of Illinois Chicaho, Chicago, IL, United States

Background: Parenteral nutrition (PN) sustains life and productivity in patients with gastrointestinal failure. However, PN is associated with several life-threatening long-term complications including catheter-related sepsis, glucose imbalance, gastrointestinal atrophy, etc. Research has focused on improving interventional enteral nutrition. Further studies require to understand how these two different feeding techniques affect intestinal morphology.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of enteral and parenteral formulations on intestinal growth by assessing the intestinal morphology of neonatal piglets.

Design/Methods: Neonatal Yorkshire/Landrace crossbred piglets were obtained 48-hours following birth and housed individually in clean metabolic cages. Piglets were randomly divided into parenteral nutrition and enteral nutrition groups for a 10 days trial period. Piglets received nutrient solutions formulated as recommended in Nutrient Requirements of Swine. PN was based on the Olimel N9E triple chamber bag formulation. MultiTherapy infusion pumps were used to infuse PN solutions continuously. The enteral control group received ad libitum sow OptiLac Baby Pig Milk Replacer formula, provided in the amount needed to meet each piglet's energy and protein requirements. All milk replacer feedings were provided to piglets in bowls twice daily. Upon completion of the study period, animals were euthanized. The gastrointestinal tract was removed and was isolated in jejunum segments. We used the TRIzol reagent procedure to isolate RNA and DNA from samples of piglet jejunum. We performed hematoxylin and eosin staining and then utilized a microscope with 20x magnification for villous architectural analysis.

Results: Cellular RNA and DNA concentration was higher in the enteral group versus the parenteral groups. Villous height was higher than that of the parenteral nutrition group. The enteral group had a greater crypt depth than the parenteral group although this difference was not significant.

Conclusion(s): Absence of luminal nutrients results in marked atrophy of the intestinal mucosa as shown by decreased cellular RNA/DNA level and decreased architectural characteristics such as villous height and crypt depth.