How to Obtain a Mega-Intestine with Normal Morphology: In Silico Modelling of Postnatal Intestinal Growth in a Cd97-Transgenic Mouse

Intestinal cylindrical growth peaks in mice a few weeks after birth, simultaneously with crypt fission activity. It nearly stops after weaning and cannot be reactivated later. Transgenic mice expressing Cd97/Adgre5 in the intestinal epithelium develop a mega-intestine with normal microscopic morphology in adult mice. Here, we demonstrate premature intestinal differentiation in Cd97/Adgre5 transgenic mice at both the cellular and molecular levels until postnatal day 14. Subsequently, the growth of the intestinal epithelium becomes activated and its maturation suppressed. These changes are paralleled by postnatal regulation of growth factors and by an increased expression of secretory cell markers, suggesting growth activation of non-epithelial tissue layers as the origin of enforced tissue growth. To understand postnatal intestinal growth mechanistically, we study epithelial fate decisions during this period with the use of a 3D individual cell-based computer model. In the model, the expansion of the intestinal stem cell (SC) population, a prerequisite for crypt fission, is largely independent of the tissue growth rate and is therefore not spontaneously adaptive. Accordingly, the model suggests that, besides the growth activation of non-epithelial tissue layers, the formation of a mega-intestine requires a released growth control in the epithelium, enabling accelerated SC expansion. The similar intestinal morphology in Cd97/Adgre5 transgenic and wild type mice indicates a synchronization of tissue growth and SC expansion, likely by a crypt density-controlled contact inhibition of growth of intestinal SC proliferation. The formation of a mega-intestine with normal microscopic morphology turns out to originate in changes of autonomous and conditional specification of the intestinal cell fate induced by the activation of Cd97/Adgre5.

Organ Growth and Intestinal Functions of Preterm Pigs Fed Low and High Protein Formulas With or Without Supplemental Leucine or Hydroxymethylbutyrate as Growth Promoters

The goal of enteral nutritional support for infants born preterm or small for gestational age (SGA) is to achieve normal growth and development. Yet, this is difficult to achieve because of intestinal immaturity. Our objective was to determine if birth weight, protein intake, and the growth promoters leucine (10 g/L) or calcium-ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutryate (HMB; 1.1 g/L) would affect trajectories of intestinal growth and functions and weights of other organs. Preterm pigs were delivered at gestational day 105 (91% of term) and fed for 6 or 7 days isocaloric formulas that differed in protein content (50 g or 100 g protein/L), with and without the growth promoters leucine or HMB. For comparative purposes organ weights were measured within 12 h after delivery for six term pigs of low and six of average birth weights. The responses of intestinal growth and total intestinal brush border membrane carbohydrases to protein level and supplemental leucine were of greater magnitude for preterm pigs of lower birth weight. Forskolin stimulated chloride secretion in the proximal small intestine was lower for pigs fed the low protein milk replacers. Capacities of the entire small intestine to transport glucose (mmol/kg-day) were not responsive to protein level, leucine, or HMB, and did not differ between small and large pigs. Relative organ weights of the small and average weight term pigs were similar, but some differed from those of the preterm pigs suggesting preterm birth and the standards of care used for this study altered the trajectories of development for the intestine and other organs. Although leucine is an effective generalized growth promoter that enhances gut development of small preterm pigs, it does not mitigate compromised neurodevelopment. Our findings using preterm pigs as a relevant preclinical model indicate nutrition support strategies can influence development of some gastrointestinal tract characteristics and the growth of other organs.

Gastrointestinal Disorders in Cat due to Feed Mycotoxin Contamination

This case reported about mycotoxin contamination on cat feed cause gastrointestinal disorders. A 5 y.o. male domestic short hair cat (Felix domesticus) was brought to the Animal Hospital, Universitas Airlangga with a history has been lethargic and disphagia for 2 days with vomiting a yellow fluid and diarrhea. Bowel movements, increasing in panting, and urination were examined. Observation in cat with gastrointestinal disorders for 5 days in animal hospital. Abnormal intestine and hepatomegaly based on x-ray were confirmed about mycotoxin contamination on cat food. Treatment for contamination on cat food was done by given protexin like probiotic to stimulate a villi intestinal growth and gastric condition. Itraconazole for antifungal to maintanace mycotoxin contamination was also considered. Our prescription was performed for our management treatment with gastrointestinal disoders. In advice, veterinarians should be giving information about the nutritional diet for a pet animal.

Effects of floor- and net-reared systems on the intestinal growth and microbial diversity in the cecum of ducks

Background Rearing systems can affect livestock production directly, but the effects of floor-reared systems (FRSs) and net-reared systems (NRSs) on the intestinal growth states and microbial diversity in the cecum of ducks are largely unclear. Methods The ducklings in this study were randomly divided into FRS and NRS groups, weighed at 4, 8 and 13 weeks, respectively, then the duodenum, jejunum, ileum and cecum were sampled and measured, and the content of cecum were analyzed by 16S RNA. Results The values of relative weight (RW), relative length (RL) and RW/ RL of four intestinal segments in FRS were significantly higher than that in the NRS during week 4, 8 and 13 (p < 0.05). A total of 157 genus were identified from ducks under the two systems,the dominant microorganisms in both groups were Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria at phyla level. The distribution of microorganisms in cecum of two groups showed significant separation in three time periods, and the value of Simpson index in FRS was significantly higher than NRS at 13 weeks (p < 0.05).Five differential microorganisms and 25 differential metabolic pathways were found in the cecum at week 4, 7 differential microorganisms and 25 differential metabolic pathways were found in the cecum at week 8, and 4 differential microorganisms and 2 differential metabolic pathways were found in the cecum at week 13. Conclusions There were differences in intestinal growth and microorganism between FRS and NRS ducks.

Pharmacological activation of TGR5 promotes intestinal growth via a GLP-2-dependent pathway in mice

Using the specific Takeda G protein-receptor-5 (TGR5) agonist RO5527239 and GLP-2 receptor knockout mice, we show that activation of TGR5 led to the increase in colonic GLP-1 and GLP-2 concomitant with a GLP-2 dependent growth response in the proximal portion of the small intestine.