Copper malabsorption after intestinal resection in rats. Effects of cholecalciferol and ascorbic acid.

Dietary modifications can partly compensate for the alterations in copper homeostasis caused by distal intestinal resection, by improving biliary function. We studied the effects of resecting 50% of the distal small intestine (DSI) on copper status in rats fed three semisynthetic diets (basal diet, and basal diet with cholecalciferol or ascorbic acid). Intestinal resection significantly decreased the digestive (apparent digestibility coefficient; ADC) and metabolic utilization (balance) of copper 1 month after surgery. However, the supplementation of the basal diet with cholecalciferol attenuated the negative impact of surgery, leading to small differences in Cu ADC and Cu balance between transected and resected rats. Ascorbic acid also enhanced copper retention. Copper status was not as markedly affected by intestinal resection as digestive utilization 1 month after the operation. The beneficial effects of cholecalciferol and ascorbic acid at the digestive and metabolic levels suggest ways to lessen the impact of intestinal resection, and to avoid possible long-term postabsorptive alterations in copper distribution.