Burn and Starvation Increase Programmed Cell Death in Small Bowel Epithelial Cells

Maintenance of gut mucosal homeostasis depends on a balance between cell proliferation and cell death. Gut mucosal integrity is impaired after severe burn and during starvation. We determined the effect of burn, starvation, and the combination of both on small bowel epithelial apoptosis and proliferation. Fifty adult male Fischer 344 rats (260–300 g) received a 60% full-thickness scald burn and were randomly divided into fed and starved groups. …