The protective effects of hepatocyte growth factor on the intestinal mucosal atrophy induced by total parenteral nutrition in a rat model

This rat model study demonstrates that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) administration during total parenteral nutrition (TPN) significantly attenuates intestinal mucosal atrophy by increasing villus height and crypt cell proliferation rates. High-dose HGF (1.0 mg/kg/day) showed the most protective effect against TPN-induced gut damage, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for patients requiring long-term parenteral nutrition.