Intestinal resections in rat: influence on protein absorption

Abstract

The effect of resections of 50% and 80% of small intestine, starting from the ileocecal valve on the nutritive utilization of protein, has been studied in rats.As a result of the resections, in the second week after the operation, the intake and weight of the animals decreased in both kinds of resections.The biggest decrease occurred in rats with 80% resection, while the loss of nitrogen in the faeces was greatly increased and, as a result, the digestibility coefficient was significantly reduced.The resected animals tended to recover gradually, but it was hardly noticeable at six and nine weeks after the operation.However, after three months, the recovery, although not total, was quite obvious, and the recovery rate was greater in the rats with 50% than in those with 80% resection.