Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol 10, Issue 5 500-509, Copyright © 1991 by American College of Nutrition

JOURNAL ARTICLE

The human intestinal response to enteral nutrients: a review

W. D. Jackson and R. J. Grand
Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Floating Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.

This review identifies the factors which influence mucosal integrity during enteral nutrition. These include biliary and pancreatic secretions, trophic influences of endocrine and gastrointestinal polypeptides, intestinal blood flow, and innervation. Fiber, bacterial fermentation products, purines, and glutamines are potential essential nutrients which may not be provided by parenteral nutrition. However, contrary to experience in animal models, the specific advantages of intraluminal delivery of nutrients for the maintenance of mucosal integrity and structure remain unproven in the human. Current evidence in the human suggests that changes in small bowel structure and function when enteral nutrients are excluded are minor and rapidly reversible as long as general nutritional status is maintained.

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