ARS | Publication request: Intestinal trophic effect of enteral arginine is independent of blood flow in neonatal piglets

Submitted to: Acta Paediatrica
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 9, 2009
Publication Date: October 9, 2009
Citation: Puiman, P., Stoll, B., Van Goudoever, J., Burrin, D.G. 2009. Intestinal trophic effect of enteral arginine is independent of blood flow in neonatal piglets [abstract]. Acta Paediatrica. 89(Suppl.460):212.

Technical Abstract: Arginine is an indispensable amino acid in neonates. Arginine is synthesized by gut epithelial cells and may have a protective role in preventing necrotizing enterocolitis. We hypothesized our method included that enteral arginine is a stimulus for intestinal blood flow and subsequent mucosal growth. Piglets, implanted with vascular and stomach catheters and an ultrasonic flow probe on the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), were fed either TPN or 40% partially enteral (PEN) for 5 days. Pigs received a daily intragastric infusion protocol in a cross-over design (n=4–8/group) with saline for 1h, followed by arginine, glutamate, glutamine, citrulline or glucose (800 mumol/kg/h) for 3h. SMA blood flow was monitored and blood samples were collected. Piglets, 20% partially enteral fed, were supplemented with either arginine (n = 5) or control alanine (n = 5) for 4 days. Results included study 1: Plasma arginine increased dosedependently with arginine infusion rate in both TPN and PEN pigs, and was higher in PEN pigs. Baseline SMA-flow was twofold higher in PEN vs. TPN pigs. None of the substrates affected SMA flow compared to saline. Study 2:Arginine supplementation increased proximal but not distal small intestinal weight compared to alanine. SMA blood flow was increased by partial enteral feeding, but was not affected by enteral arginine or other substrates. Feeding arginine with partial enteral nutrition had a trophic effect on the proximal small intestine. Our results suggest that the trophic effect of arginine on the neonatal small intestine is independent of blood flow.