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Published on: June 30, 2021

Gut microflora associated characteristics in children with celiac disease

B Tjellström1, L Stenhammar, L Högberg

  • 1Microbiology and Tumour Biology Center, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

The American Journal of Gastroenterology
|January 6, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Children with celiac disease (CD) exhibit distinct gut microbial metabolic activity, characterized by altered short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) regardless of diet. This study reveals a genuine microbial difference in CD patients compared to healthy controls.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten ingestion.
  • Intestinal microflora plays a crucial role in gut health and immune function.
  • Previous research has not fully elucidated the metabolic function of gut microbiota in pediatric CD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the metabolic function of intestinal microflora in children with celiac disease (CD).
  • To determine if gut flora in CD patients differs from healthy controls (HC).

Main Methods:

  • Study included children with CD (untreated and gluten-free diet) and healthy controls (HC).
  • Fecal samples were analyzed for short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) using gas-liquid chromatography.
  • SCFA profiles were compared between CD patients and HC.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in acetic, i-butyric, i-valeric acids, and total SCFAs were observed between untreated CD children and HC.
  • Propionic and n-valeric acids differed significantly between CD children on a gluten-free diet (GFD) and HC.
  • A strong correlation between i-butyric and i-valeric acids was found across all groups.

Conclusions:

  • This study is the first to analyze the SCFA pattern in fecal samples from children with CD.
  • Children with CD show altered metabolic activity of intestinal microbial flora compared to HC.
  • The observed SCFA differences in CD patients persist irrespective of GFD, inflammation, or autoimmune status, suggesting a genuine phenomenon of CD.
Abstract

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