Figure 2.

Mechanisms of intestinal adaptation in short bowel syndrome (SBS). The adaptive response following massive small bowel resection is characterized by stem cell expansion and increased crypt cell proliferation, resulting in deepened crypts and increased villus height. Nutrient, fluid and electrolyte absorption per unit surface area is increased post-resection. Studies have focused on mechanisms that regulate expansion of stem cells, increase in transit amplifying (TA) cells, stromal (myofibroblast and other)-stem cell interactions, apoptosis, epithelial migration and enhanced enterocyt e function.