The trophic effects of substrate, insulin, and the route of administration on protein synthesis and the preservation of small bowel mucosal mass in large mammals

These findings may explain why a selective inadequate protein intake impairs intestinal function more than a balanced insufficient calorie supply. However, most of the substrate-gut interactions have been examined in healthy or mostly healthy organisms. Corresponding regulatory mechanisms in severely ill or malnourished individuals require further studies to test the hypotheses described above.