| Autor: |
Heidt C; University of Muenster, D-48149 Muenster, Germany.; Department of General Pediatrics, Metabolic Diseases, University of Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus, D-48149 Muenster, Germany., Kämmerer U; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, D-97080 Wuerzburg, Germany., Fobker M; Centre of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, D-48149 Muenster, Germany., Rüffer A; Labor LS SE, D-97708 Bad Bocklet, Germany., Marquardt T; Department of General Pediatrics, Metabolic Diseases, University of Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus, D-48149 Muenster, Germany., Reuss-Borst M; Hescuro Center for Rehabilitation and Prevention Bad Bocklet, D-97708 Bad Bocklet, Germany.; Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Georg-August University of Goettingen, D-37075 Goettingen, Germany. |
| Abstrakt: |
Increased intestinal permeability and inflammation, both fueled by dysbiosis, appear to contribute to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis. This single-center pilot study aimed to investigate zonulin, a marker of intestinal permeability, and calprotectin, a marker of intestinal inflammation, measured in serum and fecal samples of RA patients using commercially available kits. We also analyzed plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels, a marker of intestinal permeability and inflammation. Furthermore, univariate, and multivariate regression analyses were carried out to determine whether or not there were associations of zonulin and calprotectin with LPS, BMI, gender, age, RA-specific parameters, fiber intake, and short-chain fatty acids in the gut. Serum zonulin levels were more likely to be abnormal with a longer disease duration and fecal zonulin levels were inversely associated with age. A strong association between fecal and serum calprotectin and between fecal calprotectin and LPS were found in males, but not in females, independent of other biomarkers, suggesting that fecal calprotectin may be a more specific biomarker than serum calprotectin is of intestinal inflammation in RA. Since this was a proof-of-principle study without a healthy control group, further research is needed to validate fecal and serum zonulin as valid biomarkers of RA in comparison with other promising biomarkers. |
