Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Pathophysiology to Precision Therapeutics

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Immunology

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is marked by chronic gut inflammation and intestinal barrier dysfunction.
• This dysfunction increases intestinal permeability, allowing harmful substances to exacerbate inflammation and cause systemic issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the role of intestinal barrier dysfunction in IBD pathogenesis, severity, and extraintestinal complications.
• To examine diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for gut barrier restoration in IBD.

Main Methods:

• Literature review analyzing mechanisms of intestinal barrier dysfunction in IBD.
• Evaluation of current and emerging diagnostic biomarkers (e.g., zonulin, fecal calprotectin, microbial signatures).
• Critical discussion of therapeutic strategies targeting gut barrier restoration.

Main Results:

• Intestinal barrier dysfunction is multifactorial, involving genetics, immune dysregulation, tight junction alterations, and microbiota imbalances.
• Diagnostic biomarkers face challenges in standardization and clinical translation.
• Therapeutic strategies include anti-inflammatory agents, dietary changes, and microbiota-targeted therapies.

Conclusions:

• Key research gaps remain regarding whether barrier dysfunction causes or results from IBD, biomarker standardization, and therapeutic translation.
• Multidisciplinary research and advanced technologies are crucial for personalized IBD treatments and improved patient outcomes.