ABSTRACT
Introduction..................................................................................................................................717 42.1 Gut morphology and function: the mucosa...................................................................718 42.2 Gut morphology and function: the immune system ....................................................719 42.3 Gut morphology and function: the vasculature............................................................721 References .....................................................................................................................................723
Over the past decade, the gut has become recognized as a central organ of metabolic activity during critical illness and stress rather than a quiescent organ as previously thought. In particular, the small intestine regulates terminal digestion and absorption of protein and amino acids. The significance of intestinal amino acid metabolism lies in the provision of major fuels for maintenance of structural function and integrity. For instance, dietary glutamine (GLN) and glutamate (GLU) are essential for metabolic processes such as nutrient transport and protein turnover.
