Article Text
Review
Effect of breast milk and weaning on epithelial growth of the small intestine in humans
Abstract
Breast feeding and weaning are important physiologically significant luminal events that influence the growth of the small intestine in humans. A variety of factors including genetic preprogramming, systemic and local hormones, and permissive factors contribute and modulate intestinal growth. Here, we offer a view that integrates some of these factors, especially those relating to breast feeding and weaning.
- breast feeding
- growth
- small intestine
- weaning
- EGF, epidermal growth factor
- GH, growth hormone
- KGF, keratinocyte growth factor
- IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor 1
- Epo, erythropoietin
- GLP, glucagon-like polypeptide
- TGF, transforming growth factor
- HGF, hepatocyte growth factor