Changes in small intestinal morphometry and electrogenic nutrient transport in young pigs with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency

The pancreatic duct-ligated (PL) pig is an established model to study the diverse effects of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) in humans. In former studies, it has been observed that PEI increases the length and permeability of the porcine small intestine. This study aimed at identifying whether electrogenic nutrient transport in the small intestine is also affected. Twenty-two piglets were used in 2 consecutive trials in this study: 7 piglets underwent a sham operation at 7 wk of age (controls). In 8 pigs, pancreatic duct ligation was performed at the age of 7 wk (experimentally induced PEI at 7 wk of age [PL-7]); 7 other pigs were subjected to pancreatic duct ligation at 16 wk of age (experimentally induced PEI at 16 wk of age [PL-16]). None of the PL pigs received pancreatic enzyme therapy. A complete diet was restrictively pair fed except for the last 2 wk (ad libitum). Pigs were euthanized at the age of 26 wk and body length as well as small intestinal length was measured. Jejunal and ileal epithelial tissues were taken for Ussing chamber studies and western blot analyses. In both groups, PEI resulted in a reduced BW and body length (P < 0.05) accompanied by increased small intestinal length in PL-16 pigs (P < 0.05). Electrogenic transport of glucose or dipeptides (Gly-Gln) was increased in the jejunum of the PL-7 group (P < 0.01) but remained unaffected in the ileum. The increase in electrogenic response to glucose was associated with increases in the abundance of sodium/glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) in the apical membrane (P < 0.05). Positive reactions of the jejunum in PL-16 pigs were restricted to addition of glucose (P < 0.05) but the ileal electrogenic response to glucose or Gly-Gln was decreased (P < 0.05). Tissue conductance was increased in the jejunum of PEI pigs whereas for ileal tissue, no differences compared with controls were found. In conclusion, PEI affects not only growth parameters or small intestinal length but also nutrient transport processes in the small intestine in a segment-specific manner.