Stress and corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) promote necrotizing enterocolitis in a formula-fed neonatal rat model.

ABSTRACT: The etiology of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is not known. Alterations in gut microbiome, mucosal barrier function, immune cell activation, and blood flow are characterized events in its development, with stress as a contributing factor. The hormone corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a key mediator of stress responses and influences these aforementioned processes. CRF signaling is modulated by NEC's main risk factors of prematurity and formula feeding. Using an established neonatal rat model of NEC, we tested hypotheses that: (i) increased CRF levels-as seen during stress-promote NEC in formula-fed (FF) newborn rats, and (ii) antagonism of CRF action ameliorates NEC. Newborn pups were formula-fed to initiate gut inflammation and randomized to: no stress, no stress with subcutaneous

SUBMITTER: Bell RL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8191945 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature