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Intestinal failure (IF) refers to the condition in which certain causes lead to derangements in nutrient absorption capacity. Gut adaptation occurs in response to IF and it is both morphologic and physiologic in nature and can be mediated by growth factors and nutrients. Our paper reviews certain trophic growth factors that have important interactions relevant for intestinal growth, function and adaptation. Data Source: The literature was reviewed (data from both animal and human studies) and certain trophic factors that modulate intestinal adaptation are summarized. The factors reviewed are: epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor I and II, transforming growth factor α and ß, neurotensin, interleukin-11, glucagon-like peptide-2, keratinocyte growth factor, human growth hormone, short-chain fatty acids, and glutamine. Conclusions: Growth factors augment intestinal proliferation, diminish programmed apoptosis, and modulate the adaptive process. They also have the potential to improve nutrient absorption in some bowel disease. The enhancement of gut adaptation may allow patients to transition of parenteral/enteral to normal nutrition, in a shorter period of time, which reduce the rate of adverse effects caused by artificial nutrition and improve quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experimental study compares the effects of early postoperative administration of three enteral diets of different compositions on the healing of colonic anastomoses. Sixty Wistar rats were subjected to colonic anastomoses. Following surgery, the rats were randomly allocated to four groups of 15 each. The rats in control group A received an electrolyte and glucose solution, the rats in group B received a complete balanced nutrition, in group C a complete balanced nutrition supplemented with fiber and in group D an isocaloric specialized elemental nutrition enriched with glutamine. The rats were sacrificed on day 7 following operation. Rupture of the anastomosis was higher in rats of the control group compared to the other three groups. Adhesion formation was more extensive in group A in comparison to the other three groups. The anastomotic bursting pressures were statistically significantly higher in groups C and D compared to the other two groups (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between group C and D (p > 0.05) while a statistically significant difference was noted between group B and group A (p < 0.05). Histological examination showed more profound inflammatory reaction in group A compared to the other three groups. There was also a statistically significant difference between group B and groups C and D while inflammatory reaction was of no statistically significant difference between group C and group D. Healing of the anastomoses was statistically significantly impaired in group A compared to the other three groups. There was no statistically significant difference between group C and group D while a statistically significant difference was found between group B and groups C and D. In conclusion, early postoperative enteral feeding improves healing of experimental colonic anastomoses in rats. This effect was more evident when fiber-supplemented diets or diets enriched with glutamine were administered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]