TY - JOUR

T1 - Gut development following insulin-like growth factor-1 supplementation to preterm pigs

AU - Rasmussen, Martin Bo

AU - Holgersen, Kristine

AU - Pankratova, Stanislava

AU - Bæk, Ole

AU - Burrin, Douglas G.

AU - Thymann, Thomas

AU - Sangild, Per Torp

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023, The Author(s).

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - Background: Reduced insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels may contribute to impaired organ development in preterm infants. Using preterm pigs as a model, we hypothesized that IGF-1 supplementation improves health and gut development during the first three weeks of life. Methods: First, clinical and organ endpoints were compared between artificially-reared, cesarean-delivered preterm pigs and vaginally-delivered, sow-reared term pigs at 5, 9 and 19 days. Next, preterm pigs were treated with recombinant human IGF-1 for 19 days (2.25 mg/kg/day, systemically). Results: Relative to term pigs, preterm pigs had lower body weight, fat, bone contents, relative weights of liver and spleen and a longer and thinner intestine at 19 days. Preterm birth reduced intestinal villi heights and peptidase activities, but only at 5 and 9 days. In preterm pigs, IGF-1 reduced mortality primarily occurring from gastrointestinal complications and with a tendency towards salvaging smaller pigs. IGF-1 supplementation also increased spleen and kidney weights, small intestine length and maltase to lactase activity, reflecting gut maturation. Conclusion: Preterm birth affects body composition and gut maturation in the first 1–2 weeks, but differences are marginal thereafter. Supplemental IGF-1 may improve gut health in pigs and infants in the first few weeks after preterm birth. Impact: Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) supplementation may improve gut health and development in prematurity, but whether the effects are sustained beyond the immediate postnatal period is unclear.In preterm pigs, the prematurity effects on IGF-1 and gut health deficiencies are most pronounced during the first week of life and diminishes thereafter.In preterm pigs, IGF-1 supplementation beyond the first week of life reduced mortality.The present study provides evidence of a sustained effect of IGF-1 supplementation on the gastrointestinal tract after the immediate postnatal period.

AB - Background: Reduced insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels may contribute to impaired organ development in preterm infants. Using preterm pigs as a model, we hypothesized that IGF-1 supplementation improves health and gut development during the first three weeks of life. Methods: First, clinical and organ endpoints were compared between artificially-reared, cesarean-delivered preterm pigs and vaginally-delivered, sow-reared term pigs at 5, 9 and 19 days. Next, preterm pigs were treated with recombinant human IGF-1 for 19 days (2.25 mg/kg/day, systemically). Results: Relative to term pigs, preterm pigs had lower body weight, fat, bone contents, relative weights of liver and spleen and a longer and thinner intestine at 19 days. Preterm birth reduced intestinal villi heights and peptidase activities, but only at 5 and 9 days. In preterm pigs, IGF-1 reduced mortality primarily occurring from gastrointestinal complications and with a tendency towards salvaging smaller pigs. IGF-1 supplementation also increased spleen and kidney weights, small intestine length and maltase to lactase activity, reflecting gut maturation. Conclusion: Preterm birth affects body composition and gut maturation in the first 1–2 weeks, but differences are marginal thereafter. Supplemental IGF-1 may improve gut health in pigs and infants in the first few weeks after preterm birth. Impact: Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) supplementation may improve gut health and development in prematurity, but whether the effects are sustained beyond the immediate postnatal period is unclear.In preterm pigs, the prematurity effects on IGF-1 and gut health deficiencies are most pronounced during the first week of life and diminishes thereafter.In preterm pigs, IGF-1 supplementation beyond the first week of life reduced mortality.The present study provides evidence of a sustained effect of IGF-1 supplementation on the gastrointestinal tract after the immediate postnatal period.

U2 - 10.1038/s41390-023-02949-9

DO - 10.1038/s41390-023-02949-9

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 38086951

AN - SCOPUS:85179310521

JO - Pediatric Research

JF - Pediatric Research

SN - 0031-3998

ER -