The effects of enteral ghrelin administration on the remodeling of the small intestinal mucosa in neonatal piglets

► Enteral ghrelin administration in neonatal pigs fed with milk formula. ► Pigs fed milk formula alone or with ghrelin (7.5 μg/kg b.wt or 15 μg/kg b.wt). ► Enteral ghrelin influences epithelial cell renewal. ► Ghrelin regulates autophagy in the small intestine mucosa. ► Stomach activity does not interfere with the action of ghrelin in the intestine.