Emerging treatment options for short bowel syndrome: potential role of teduglutide.

Introduction: Current medical management of short bowel syndrome (SBS) involves the use of lifelong parenteral nutrition (PN). Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), an important intestinotrophic growth factor has been shown to increase intestinal absorption in SBS through augmentation of post-resection intestinal adaptation. This may lead to the reduction of PN dependence in patients with SBS.

Gut hypertrophy after gastric bypass is associated with increased glucagon-like peptide 2 and intestinal crypt cell proliferation.

Objective: We aimed to determine changes in crypt cell proliferation and glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) in rodents and man after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).

Summary Of Background Data: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass results in sustained weight loss and reduced appetite with only mild gastrointestinal side effects. Glucagon-like peptide-2 released from intestinal l-cells after nutrient intake stimulates intestinal crypt cell proliferation and mitigates the effects of gut injury.

Short bowel syndrome: the role of GLP-2 on improving outcome.

Purpose Of Review: The medical management of short bowel syndrome frequently requires lifelong parenteral nutrition. Methods of increasing intestinal absorption and reducing parenteral nutrition dependence, by improving postresection intestinal adaptation, are increasingly being explored. Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is an important intestinotrophic growth factor and mediator of intestinal adaptation.

Plasma citrulline concentration: a reliable marker of small bowel absorptive capacity independent of intestinal inflammation.

Objectives: Postabsorptive plasma citrulline concentration has been proposed as a reliable marker of small bowel absorptive capacity in short bowel patients. The aim of this study was to address the potentially confounding impact of intestinal inflammation.

Methods: Fifty-five patients were selected according to diagnosis, small bowel length, and degree of bowel inflammation.