GI tract may atrophy without the intraluminal nutrition,→

  • increased gut permeability,
  • a decrease in gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT),
  • changes in gut flora and reduced gut barrier function.

This may lead to →

  • translocation of bacteria and endotoxin into the portal and systemic circulation and →
  • consequent fueling of the inflammatory process with →
  • higher proportion of septic episodes.
  • leading to → multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (MODS).