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Short‐Chain Fatty Acid‐Supplemented Total Parenteral Nutrition Improves Nonspecific Immunity After Intestinal Resection in Rats
Author(s) -
Pratt Vera C.,
Tappenden Kelly A.,
McBurney Michael I.,
Field Catherine J.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.935
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1941-2444
pISSN - 0148-6071
DOI - 10.1177/0148607196020004264
Subject(s) - parenteral nutrition , immune system , immunosuppression , splenocyte , natural killer cell , medicine , fatty acid , endocrinology , polyunsaturated fatty acid , biology , white blood cell , cellular immunity , immunology , cytotoxicity , biochemistry , in vitro
Background: Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) alters both specific and nonspecific immune functions, resulting in immunosuppression. Short‐chain fatty acids have been shown to improve the adaptive responses of the gut after surgery. The following study investigates the effects of adding short‐chain fatty acids to TPN on the immune system after an 80% small bowel resection. Methods: Rats (237 ± 3 g) were infused with either TPN (n = 25) or TPN supplemented with short‐chain fatty acids (n = 26) for 3 or 7 days. Hematologic analysis was performed on peripheral blood and splenocytes were isolated to characterize cell phenotypes, natural killer cell cytotoxicity and to estimate proliferative response. Results: The relative percent of T (CD3+) cells increased (p <.05) and the relative percent of macrophages decreased (p <.001, n = 13) in the spleens of the 3‐day TPN‐fed rats. By day 7, these differences disappeared. The natural killer cells from rats that were supplemented with short‐chain fatty acids had higher (p <.0001) cytotoxic activity than the TPN groups at day 3. Mitogenic response did not differ between groups but were depressed compared with sham‐treated rats. By day 7, rats on standard TPN had larger (p <.0001) spleens than all other groups. This group also had a higher total white blood cell count because of increased numbers of macrophages and neutrophils (p <.02). Conclusion: Short‐chain fatty acids improve components of nonspecific immune responses and may be beneficial in reducing certain aspects of TPNassociated immunosuppression after major surgery. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 20 :264–271, 1996)