Related Experiment Videos
Impaired gut barrier function in malnourished patients
J V Reynolds1, C O'Farrelly, C Feighery
1Department of Surgery, Meath and Adelaide Hospitals, Dublin, Ireland.
The British Journal of Surgery
|September 1, 1996
Summary
Protein malnutrition compromises gut barrier function, increasing susceptibility to infection. Malnourished patients showed increased antibodies to food antigens, indicating a weakened intestinal barrier.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- The gastrointestinal tract serves as a critical defense barrier against gut antigens.
- Experimental models show protein malnutrition can lead to gut barrier failure and infection.
- Clinical evidence linking malnutrition to gut barrier dysfunction has been lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate intestinal morphology and barrier function to food antigens in malnourished patients.
- To determine if malnutrition is associated with increased permeability to food proteins.
Main Methods:
- Endoscopic duodenal biopsies were analyzed for morphology in 20 malnourished patients and 15 controls.
- Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies to gliadin and beta-lactoglobulin were measured.
- Nutritional status was assessed and correlated with antibody presence.
Main Results:
- 15 of 20 malnourished patients had IgG antibodies to at least one food antigen, compared to none in controls (P < 0.0001).
- Severely malnourished patients were more likely to have antibodies to both antigens.
- Antibody-positive malnourished patients had better nutritional status than antibody-negative patients.
Conclusions:
- Gut barrier function is compromised in protein malnutrition, suggesting a mechanism for increased risk of gut-derived infection and sepsis.
- Increased intestinal permeability to food antigens is a clinical correlate of malnutrition.
- No morphological abnormalities were observed, indicating a functional rather than structural defect.