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Intestinal permeability is increased in bronchial asthma

Z Hijazi1, A M Molla, H Al-Habashi

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait. zeinat@hsc.kuniv.edu.kw

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|February 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Children with asthma show increased intestinal permeability, indicating potential effects on the entire mucosal system. This finding suggests a link between gut health and childhood asthma.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Pulmonology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Previous research indicated increased intestinal permeability in adult asthmatics.
  • The role of gut barrier function in pediatric asthma remains under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether children diagnosed with asthma exhibit altered intestinal permeability.
  • To assess the relationship between gut barrier function and asthma in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 32 asthmatic children and 32 healthy controls underwent intestinal permeability assessment using the dual sugar (lactulose and mannitol) test.
  • Urinary lactulose and mannitol levels, along with the lactulose:mannitol ratio, were quantified.
  • All participants were evaluated for allergies through skin prick testing and specific IgE measurements.

Main Results:

  • Asthmatic children demonstrated significantly higher median urinary lactulose levels and a higher lactulose:mannitol ratio compared to controls.
  • Urinary mannitol levels were comparable between asthmatic children and controls.
  • No significant correlation was found between intestinal permeability and factors like eczema, inhaled corticosteroid use, positive aeroallergen skin tests, or asthma severity.

Conclusions:

  • Children with asthma exhibit increased intestinal permeability.
  • These findings suggest that the gastrointestinal mucosal system may be implicated in the pathophysiology of childhood asthma.
Abstract

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