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).