The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of porcine pancreatic enzymes (Creon^® pancrelipase) in comparison to microbial-derived alpha amylase (MD amylase) on the small intestine wall structure, mucosal glycogen accumulation, and enterocyte turnover. The impact of enzyme supplementation on the small intestine was explored in 18 pigs with surgically induced exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). Four healthy pigs served as the control group. EPI led to reduced villus length, crypt depth, and thickness of the mucosa and muscularis layers compared to those of healthy pigs. All these changes appeared to be reversible after enzyme supplementation. Brush border thickness was decreased in EPI and increased with both enzyme preparations, with MD amylase treatment leading to the highest values in the proximal jejunum. No EPI-induced changes were observed in the goblet cell (GC) population, but significant increases in GC number and area were observed following MD amylase treatment. Glycogen accumulation within the duodenal mucosa was significantly increased in EPI pigs. EPI was also shown to significantly increase apoptotic activity and decrease proliferative activity in comparison to healthy animals, while both enzyme preparations resulted in the complete recovery of both proliferative and apoptotic activity in all investigated intestinal segments. Creon^® influenced the morphology of the small intestine. However, supplementation of exogenous microbial amylase alone also affected gut morphology in a similar way to that of the complex host pancreatic enzymes offered orally. These data indicate that in addition to their role in digestion of nutrients in EPI, intraluminal pancreatic enzymes, especially amylase, contribute to gut health through maintenance of the intestinal wall architecture and physiological enterocyte turnover.

With the current state of knowledge regarding disorders of facial bone development, including anodontia, the development of a suitable animal model for preclinical studies is essential. The agenesis of dental buds occurs in about 25% of the human population. Prospects for treatment include the use of growth factors, stem cells, and bioengineering. This study aimed to investigate the influence of a tooth absence on facial bone growth, develop a technique for the application of growth factors to the developing bone, and analyze the comparative effect of the application of selected active proteins on the growth of the maxilla and mandible. Piglets underwent germectomy, followed by computed tomography and X-ray; morphometric and histological analyses of the bones were performed, blood bone morphogenetic protein 2 and platelet-derived growth factor concentrations were determined, and the transcriptomic profile of the dentate ligament was analyzed using DNA microarrays. It was not possible to identify the most effective growth factor application algorithm for achieving normal jaw development. Normal mandibular bone structure and oral mucosa structure were observed in the germectomy groups with growth factor augmentation. The average height of the mandibular alveolar part in the area of the removed dental buds was significantly lower compared with that of the inoperable side, 3 months after surgery. However, no significant differences were found in the serum concentrations of BMP-2 and PDGF between groups. The animal model of bone development disorders (including anodontia) developed in the current study and the scheme for evaluating the efficacy and safety of the application of replacement therapy for craniofacial malformations are important in the development of the discipline and represent an important contribution to the introduction of treatment methods.