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Cecal Ligation Puncture Procedure
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Increased plasma zonulin in patients with sepsis
Daniel A Klaus1, Michael C Motal, Ursula Burger-Klepp
1Department of Anesthesiology, General Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Biochemia Medica
|March 6, 2013
Summary
Elevated plasma zonulin levels indicate increased intestinal permeability in sepsis patients. This finding suggests zonulin may be a key marker for gut wall integrity during sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Zonulin, a protein similar to Vibrio cholerae's zonula occludens toxin, regulates small intestine tight junctions.
- Loss of gut wall integrity is a critical factor in sepsis, observed in various studies.
- Elevated zonulin levels are linked to inflammatory conditions like celiac disease and type 1 diabetes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma zonulin levels in sepsis patients.
- To assess zonulin as a non-invasive marker of gut wall integrity during sepsis.
Main Methods:
- Plasma zonulin was measured in 25 sepsis patients (sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock) using an ELISA kit.
- Control groups included 18 non-septic post-surgical ICU patients and 20 healthy volunteers.
- Data were reported as median and interquartile range (IQR).
Main Results:
- Sepsis patients exhibited significantly higher plasma zonulin concentrations (6.61 ng/mL) compared to post-surgical controls (3.40 ng/mL, P=0.025).
- Plasma zonulin was also significantly higher in sepsis patients versus healthy controls (3.55 ng/mL, P=0.008).
Conclusions:
- Elevated plasma zonulin levels were demonstrated in septic patients.
- Increased zonulin may signify heightened intestinal permeability in sepsis and SIRS.
- Zonulin shows potential as a marker for gut wall integrity in sepsis.
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