Abstract: The invention relates to enteric compounds comprising a keto acid, and methods of making and using these compounds in order to treat malnourishment, conditions resulting from malnourishment, and various pathological conditions.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of compounds of general formula (I): (X)n1,Y,(Z)n2 wherein n1 and n2 represent 0 or 1; X represents a natural amino acid, in particular an amino acid selected among ornithine, arginine, lysine, histidine or glutamine; Y represents a keto acid of formula (II): R—CO—COOH wherein R represents —CH3, —CH2—CH3, —CH(CH3)2, —CH(CH3)—CH2—CH3, —CH2—CH(CH3)2, —CH2)2—COOH, —CH2)3—COOH; Z represents: a natural amino acid selected in particular among ornithine, arginine, lysine, histidine or glutamine; or a polyamine selected in particular among cadaverine, putrescine, spermidine, spermine or agmatine. Said compounds are useful for preparing a medicine for treating human or animal pathologies wherein are involved silent neurons, such as pathologies of the digestive tract, the bladder and the biliary ducts.