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Intestinal barrier: an interface between health and disease
Ashkan Farhadi1, Ali Banan, Jeremy Fields
1Department of Internal Medicine (Section of Gastroenterology and Nutrition), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. ashkan_faradi@rush.edu
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
|April 19, 2003
Summary
Maintaining a healthy intestinal barrier is crucial for preventing disease. This review covers intestinal barrier function, dysfunction, and strategies to restore its integrity, highlighting its role in gastrointestinal health.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Physiology
Background:
- The intestine acts as a vital interface with the environment.
- An intact intestinal barrier is essential for health and disease prevention.
- The epithelial barrier is a key non-immunological component.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review normal and abnormal intestinal barrier function.
- Discuss diseases linked to barrier dysfunction.
- Explore strategies for restoring barrier integrity.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on intestinal barrier.
- Analysis of transepithelial permeability measurements (e.g., using sugar probes).
- Examination of disease pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches.
Main Results:
- Intestinal hyperpermeability is implicated in inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and food allergies.
- Assessing intestinal permeability is important for diagnosis and prognosis.
- Various agents and strategies show promise in restoring barrier function.
Conclusions:
- Intestinal barrier integrity is critical for gastrointestinal health.
- Dysfunction contributes to several diseases.
- Restoring barrier function is a key therapeutic goal.