2025 WCHRI Summer Student

Could gut hormone therapy offer hope for babies with short bowel syndrome?

Sehaj Sandhu’s research focuses on a life-threatening condition in babies called short bowel syndrome, or SBS. His project explored whether a combination of two gut hormones, GLP-1 and GLP-2, could help the body absorb more nutrition and reduce the need for risky intravenous feeding.

He used animal models to stand in for human babies with SBS. He fed the models a special marker and measured the time it took to move through the intestine. He then compared how quickly this happened in those treated with GLP-1, GLP-2, and with a combination of both. His hypothesis was that GLP-1 would slow down the process, and the combination of the two hormones would lead to better nutrient absorption. 

“The WCHRI summer studentship program offers a meaningful opportunity to gain hands-on experience in research related to children’s and/or women’s health. You’re supported by a community that takes genuine interest in your work and is always willing to help when needed.”

Project goals:

• Measure intestinal transit time in SBS animal models when treated with GLP-1, GLP-2 and a combination of both.
• Determine if GLP-1 slows down intestinal transit.
• Test if the combination of GLP-1 and GLP-2 improves intestinal growth and function more than GLP-2 alone.

Potential impact: While GLP-2 has been shown in this animal model to improve intestinal growth and is now approved for use in babies with SBS, this is the first time GLP-1 has been studied in this model. The ultimate goal is to develop improved treatments for babies with SBS. By helping them absorb more nutrition naturally, they can avoid long-term intravenous feeding, with its risks of severe infections and liver disease. 

Supervisor: Justine Turner, professor, Department of Pediatrics

Funders: Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation

Interested in doing research to improve the health of women and/or children? Read more about WCHRI’s training awards for students at all levels and generous grants for researchers.