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Intestinal permeability, leaky gut, and intestinal disorders.
1Harbor-UCLA Research and Education Institute, 1124 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90502, USA.
Current Gastroenterology Reports
|September 12, 2000
Summary
Intestinal permeability, a measure of gut leakiness, is elevated in Crohn's disease and can be assessed using sugar tests. This gut barrier function is crucial for health and disease monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Physiology
- Immunology
Background:
- The intestine acts as a barrier, preventing harmful substance absorption.
- Intestinal permeability quantifies this barrier function, or 'leakiness'.
- This barrier is compromised in various conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explain the concept and measurement of intestinal permeability.
- To highlight its relevance in Crohn's disease and other conditions.
- To discuss the role of tight junctions in regulating gut barrier function.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing inert, nonmetabolized sugars (e.g., mannitol, lactulose) to measure intestinal permeability.
- Observing the effects of aspirin and NSAIDs on gut leakiness.
- Analyzing the correlation between permeability and disease activity.
Main Results:
- Increased intestinal permeability is observed in most Crohn's disease patients and some relatives.
- Aspirin can significantly amplify this abnormal leakiness.
- Permeability levels correlate with disease activity, extent, and predict recurrence.
Conclusions:
- Intestinal permeability is a key indicator in Crohn's disease, reflecting disease status and prognosis.
- Understanding tight junction regulation is vital for therapeutic development.
- Permeability measurements offer insights into disease etiology and management.