Supplementation of total parenteral nutrition with butyrate acutely increases structural aspects of intestinal adaptation after an 80% jejunoileal resection in neonatal piglets.

Background: Supplementation of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with a mixture of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) enhances intestinal adaptation in the adult rodent model. However, the ability and timing of SCFA to augment adaptation in the neonatal intestine is unknown. Furthermore, the specific SCFA inducing the intestinotrophic effects and underlying regulatory mechanism(s) are unclear.

Glucagon-like peptide-2 and short-chain fatty acids: a new twist to an old story.

The nutritional regulation of intestinal adaptation extends beyond the route of nutrient administration as specific nutrients are known to mediate the adaptive response. Dietary carbohydrates are known to enhance intestinal adaptation in patients with short-bowel syndrome. This review discusses SCFA-induced adaptation in intestinal structure and function in adult rat and neonatal piglet models.