Small and Large Intestine (II): Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Short Bowel Syndrome, and Malignant Tumors of the Digestive Tract

Abstract

The small intestine is key in the digestion and absorption of macro and micronutrients. The large intestine is essential for the absorption of water, to allow adequate defecation, and to harbor intestinal microbiota, for which their nutritional role is as important as it is unknown. This article will describe the causes and consequences of malnutrition in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, the importance of screening and replacement of micronutrient deficits, and the main indications for enteral and parenteral nutrition in these patients. We will also discuss the causes of short bowel syndrome, a complex entity due to anatomical or functional loss of part of the small bowel, which can cause insufficient absorption of liquid, electrolytes, and nutrients and lead to complex management. Finally, we will review the causes, consequences, and management of malnutrition in patients with malignant and benign digestive tumors, including neuroendocrine tumors (present not only in the intestine but also in the pancreas).

The GLIM Criteria Represent a More Appropriate Tool for Nutritional Assessment in Patients With Crohn's Disease

“…Several studies have suggested that patients with the L4 phenotype have a worse prognosis than those with other phenotypes, which manifests as an increased risk for complications, surgery, and further hospitalization ( 24 , 32 – 34 ). The small intestine is essential for the digestion and absorption of macro- and micronutrients ( 35 ). Intestinal cells impairment hampers the absorption of nutrients in the body ( 36 , 37 ), which is sufficient to explain the predisposition of L4-phenotype patients to malnutrition.…”

DHA-enriched phosphatidylserine alleviates high fat diet-induced jejunum injury in mice by modulating gut microbiota

“…The largest digestive organ in the human body is the intestine, with digestion in the small intestine being the most important stage in the entire digestive process. 25 Intestinal barrier damage can lead to a dysregulation of intestinal homeostasis, along with increased intestinal permeability and leakage of harmful substances ( e.g. LPS), resulting in local and systemic inflammation.…”

Differential roles of the fish chitinous membrane in gut barrier immunity and digestive compartments

“…Fish are useful models for gut‐related diseases (Thomson et al , 2012a,b; Kamareddine et al , 2020; Ber et al , 2021; Lee et al , 2021; Montoro‐Huguet et al , 2021). The discovery of fish CM indicates more differences between fish and mammal gut structures, which affects the comparative studies based on fish models.…”