Morphometric study of the small intestinal mucosa in young, adult, and old rats submitted to protein deficiency and rehabilitation.

• DOI: 10.1136/gut.26.8.816
• Publication Date: 2007-09-18T21:41:31Z
• Authors: M A Rodrigues; J L de Camargo; K I Coelho; M R Montenegro; A Y Angeleli; R C Burini
• Keywords: Jejunum; Lamina propria; Intestinal mucosa

Linear and stereological morphometric methods were applied to the jejunal ileal mucosa of young, adult, old male Wistar rats submitted protein deficiency rehabilitation. The animals fed ad libitum a 2% casein diet during 42 days then received 20% for 30 days. Food intake, body weights, plasma concentrations recorded. In young deficient values mucosal height, surface area, volume lamina propria significantly lower than those their age controls in both jejunum ileum. adults differences less marked all parameters found be unaltered by diet. surface-to-volume ratio showed no significant between control three groups, meaning that villus pattern did not change with deficiency. On rehabilitation, striking difference ileum was observed rats; returned levels jejunum, while they remained