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Plasma motilin in untreated celiac disease
1Department of Internal Medicine, Lund University Hospital, S-22185 Lund, Sweden. kristina.sjolund@med.lu.se
Abstract:
Celiac disease (CD) is characterized by mucosal villous atrophy mostly confined to the proximal small intestine. Upper-gut motor abnormalities have been reported. Motilin, localized in cells in the proximal small intestine, is a trigger factor for the migrating motor complex. Plasma levels of motilin were studied in 16 untreated CD patients and in an age-matched control group of 18 healthy subjects by radioimmunoassay and by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The fasting levels of motilin and postprandial levels were significantly higher in CD patients compared to controls (P<0.01) and HPLC revealed a divergent individual pattern of the motilin fragments.
Insights
Untreated celiac disease (CD) patients exhibit elevated plasma motilin levels and altered motilin fragment patterns compared to healthy individuals. This suggests potential gastrointestinal motility disruptions in celiac disease.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
- Digestive System Physiology
Background:
- Celiac disease (CD) involves small intestine villous atrophy and reported upper-gut motor abnormalities.
- Motilin, a hormone from the proximal small intestine, regulates the migrating motor complex.
- Gastrointestinal motility is crucial for nutrient digestion and absorption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma motilin levels and motilin fragment patterns in untreated celiac disease patients.
- To compare motilin profiles between celiac disease patients and healthy controls.
- To explore potential links between motilin abnormalities and gastrointestinal dysfunction in CD.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to measure plasma motilin.
- Fasting and postprandial plasma motilin levels were assessed.
- 16 untreated celiac disease patients and 18 healthy controls participated.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher fasting and postprandial plasma motilin levels were observed in CD patients compared to controls (P<0.01).
- HPLC analysis revealed distinct individual patterns of motilin fragments in CD patients.
- These findings indicate altered motilin regulation in active celiac disease.
Conclusions:
- Elevated plasma motilin and divergent motilin fragment profiles are characteristic of untreated celiac disease.
- These hormonal changes may contribute to the reported upper-gut motor abnormalities in CD.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the functional impact of these motilin alterations.