Effect of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on gut associated lymphoid tissue

Effect of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) was examined in rats. Rats were maintained with TPN by the method of Steiger. Control rats were allowed to have the same solution orally. The size of Peyer’s patches in TPN rats was smaller than that in controls. The number of lymphocytes and the ratio of helper/non-helper T cells were decreased in intestinal lymph of TPN rats. The ratio of helper/non-helper T cells was decreased both in the intraepithelial space and in the lamina propria. These data indicate that oral food intake might play a role in the regulation of morphology and function of GALT.