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Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Allergic rhinitis in children is associated with high serum levels of zonulin
Burcu Tahire Koksal1, Metin Aldemir2, Caner İncekaş3
1Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Allergy, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Children with allergic rhinitis (AR) show higher zonulin levels and lower haptoglobin/zonulin ratios, indicating increased intestinal permeability and inflammation. These biomarkers may help understand AR pathogenesis in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent chronic condition marked by nasal inflammation.
- Inflammation and compromised epithelial barriers are key in allergic disease development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum zonulin and haptoglobin levels in children with allergic rhinitis.
- To explore the association of these biomarkers with AR and its subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Serum zonulin and haptoglobin levels were measured in 88 children with AR and 50 healthy controls.
- The haptoglobin/zonulin ratio was calculated and compared between groups.
Main Results:
- Children with AR exhibited significantly higher median serum zonulin levels compared to healthy controls (p=0.024).
- The median haptoglobin/zonulin ratio was significantly lower in children with AR than in controls (p=0.011).
- No significant differences were found between persistent and intermittent AR subtypes for these markers.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum zonulin and reduced haptoglobin/zonulin ratio are associated with allergic rhinitis in children.
- Findings suggest increased intestinal permeability and disrupted antioxidant defense mechanisms in pediatric AR.
Background:
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic disease characterised by nasal membrane inflammation. Inflammation and epithelial barrier dysfunction play significant roles in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases.
Methods:
The study included 88 children with AR and 50 healthy controls. We measured serum zonulin and haptoglobin levels and compared the groups.
Results:
Children with AR had a higher median value of zonulin than healthy children [(11 (4.21-35.95) vs. 8.81 (3.59-47.72) ng/mL, respectively] (p = 0.024). Median value of haptoglobin/zonulin ratio was lower in children with AR [7.91 (0.46-31.93)] compared to healthy controls [11.07 (0.77-74.37), p = 0.011)]. Serum zonulin, haptoglobin levels and the haptoglobin/zonulin ratio did not differ significantly between children with persistent and intermittent AR.
Conclusion:
High serum zonulin levels and low haptoglobin/zonulin ratios in children show an increased association with AR. Our results may support that inflammation is increased, intestinal permeability and preventive mechanisms to decrease oxidative damage are disrupted in children with AR.
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