Zonulin upregulation is associated with increased gut permeability in subjects with type 1 diabetes and their relatives.

Zonulin, a protein that modulates intestinal permeability, is upregulated in several autoimmune diseases and is involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes in the BB/Wor animal model of the disease. To verify the association between serum zonulin levels and in vivo intestinal permeability in patients with type 1 diabetes, both parameters were investigated in different stages of the autoimmune process. Forty-two percent (141 of 339) of the patients had abnormal serum zonulin levels, as compared with age-matched control subjects.

Worse clinical course of disease in Crohn's patients with previous appendectomy.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of previous appendectomy in a series of Crohn's disease (CD) patients on the clinical characteristics and course of disease.

Methods: Demographic and clinical data were retrospectively analysed for 129 consecutive outpatients (68 men and 61 women, median age 38 years) with CD. For each patient, information concerning appendectomy, indication for surgery (acute/chronic) and the date of surgery were recorded.

Serum p53 antibodies in patients affected with ulcerative colitis.

During tumor progression, the accumulation in genetic alterations is a fundamental characteristic of malignant cells. p53 gene is frequently mutated in human tumor. Cellular accumulation of p53 protein can initiate an immune response with generation of circulating anti-p53 antibodies.

Assessment of intestinal permeability and orocecal transit time in patients with systemic sclerosis: analysis of relationships with epidemiologic and clinical parameters.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess intestinal permeability (IP) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to relate the results with general disease activity and gastrointestinal involvement.

Methods: Twenty-eight females and four males were studied. Patients with severe gastrointestinal involvement were excluded.

Cellobiose and lactulose coupled with mannitol and determined using ion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection, are reliable probes for investigation of intestinal permeability.

Lactulose/mannitol and cellobiose/mannitol tests are currently used in the investigation of intestinal permeability (IP) in many gastrointestinal diseases. The aim of this study was to produce a good technique for the determination and comparison of the above-mentioned sugar probes to overcome the problem caused by the presence of significant glycosuria in patients affected by particular metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus. Tests were performed in 25 healthy volunteers, using either cellobiose (Ce) (5 g) and mannitol (Ma) (2 g), or lactulose (La) (5 g) and mannitol (2 g), given as oral isosmolar loads.