Celiac disease

Circular dichroism and electron microscopy studies in vitro of 33-mer gliadin peptide revealed secondary structure transition and supramolecular organization

Gliadin, a protein present in wheat, rye, and barley, undergoes incomplete enzymatic degradation during digestion, producing an immunogenic 33-mer peptide, LQLQPF(PQPQLPY)3 PQPQPF. The special features of 33-mer that provoke a break in its tolerance leading to gliadin sensitivity and celiac disease remains elusive. Herein, it is reported that 33-mer gliadin peptide was not only able to fold into polyproline II secondary structure but also depending on concentration resulted in conformational transition and self-assembly under aqueous condition, pH 7.0. A 33-mer dimer is presented as one initial possible step in the self-assembling process obtained by partial electrostatics charge distribution calculation and molecular dynamics. In addition, electron microscopy experiments revealed supramolecular organization of 33-mer into colloidal nanospheres. In the presence of 1 mM sodium citrate, 1 mM sodium borate, 1 mM sodium phosphate buffer, 15 mM NaCl, the nanospheres were stabilized, whereas in water, a linear organization and formation of fibrils were observed. It is hypothesized that the self-assembling process could be the result of the combination of hydrophobic effect, intramolecular hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic complementarity due to 33-mer's high content of proline and glutamine amino acids and its calculated nonionic amphiphilic character. Although, performed in vitro, these experiments have revealed new features of the 33-mer gliadin peptide that could represent an important and unprecedented event in the early stage of 33-mer interaction with the gut mucosa prior to onset of inflammation. Moreover, these findings may open new perspectives for the understanding and treatment of gliadin intolerance disorders.

Health Coaching the Worker With Celiac Disease

L.Y., a 52-year-old project manager, had a series of minor epistaxis episodes while at work. After seeing his primary care physician, he was diagnosed with anemia which was attributed to the epistaxis. After being evaluated by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for treatment of the epistaxis, anemia continued. Eventually, he was diagnosed with celiac disease. Implications for health coaching are explored.

Enteroscopic findings of Celiac Disease and their correlation with mucosal histopathologic changes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Single Balloon Enteroscopy enables us to examine the small bowel for various diseases. It provides a view of the intestinal mucosa with biopsy capability, which may be helpful in search of a mucosal disease such as Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease is a proximal enteropathy developed in genetically susceptible individuals to wheat protein gluten. Examination of the duodenum and proximal jejunum are mostly diagnostic. We aimed to review enteroscopic findings of the patients with Celiac Disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Consecutive adult patients (>18y) who needed intestinal or duodenal biopsy for the diagnosis of the Celiac Disease were included. Single Balloon Enteroscopy system was used to enter the proximal jejunum. All of the patients had biopsies in order to diagnose Celiac Disease.

RESULTS

Single Balloon Enteroscopy was performed in 33 patients. Twenty two (66.7%) subjects were diagnosed as Celiac Disease. The most common endoscopic abnormality in Celiac Disease was mucosal atrophy in 20 patients (90.9%), continuous involvement was the most common presentation (36.4%). All of the patients with Celiac Disease exhibited at least one endoscopic change.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed the patchy nature of the disease with mostly diffuse involvement of the small bowel. However, any endoscopic abnormality can be found in every patient with Celiac Disease. Analysis of images from either conventional upper endoscopy or capsule endoscopy may aid the diagnosis.

Diagnosis of gluten related disorders: Celiac disease, wheat allergy and non-celiac gluten sensitivity

Cereal crops and cereal consumption have had a vital role in Mankind’s history. In the recent years gluten ingestion has been linked with a range of clinical disorders. Gluten-related disorders have gradually emerged as an epidemiologically relevant phenomenon with an estimated global prevalence around 5%. Celiac disease, wheat allergy and non-celiac gluten sensitivity represent different gluten-related disorders. Similar clinical manifestations can be observed in these disorders, yet there are peculiar pathogenetic pathways involved in their development. Celiac disease and wheat allergy have been extensively studied, while non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a relatively novel clinical entity, believed to be closely related to other gastrointestinal functional syndromes. The diagnosis of celiac disease and wheat allergy is based on a combination of findings from the patient’s clinical history and specific tests, including serology and duodenal biopsies in case of celiac disease, or laboratory and functional assays for wheat allergy. On the other hand, non-celiac gluten sensitivity is still mainly a diagnosis of exclusion, in the absence of clear-cut diagnostic criteria. A multimodal pragmatic approach combining findings from the clinical history, symptoms, serological and histological tests is required in order to reach an accurate diagnosis. A thorough knowledge of the differences and overlap in clinical presentation among gluten-related disorders, and between them and other gastrointestinal disorders, will help clinicians in the process of differential diagnosis.

The Perceived Social Burden in Celiac Disease

In the present paper, we discuss the change in celiac disease (CD) awareness and perception through patients' concerns and the most recent literature. Nowadays CD has moved in the public awareness (both doctors and population) from a rare disease to a common one and the gluten free diet (GFD) is no longer the exclusive therapy for CD patients but is becoming a popular health choice for everybody. Gluten-free food, once hard to find and requiring home preparation, is now available at restaurants and grocery stores. However, the quality of life of those affected by CD seems to be still compromised and this is particularly true for those who find it difficult to adhere to a GFD and those who were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. Intervention at diagnosis and follow-up to improve the patients' adaptation to the condition and its limitations should be implemented.

MeDiA: Mean Distance Association and Its Applications in Nonlinear Gene Set Analysis

Probabilistic association discovery aims at identifying the association between random vectors, regardless of number of variables involved or linear/nonlinear functional forms. Recently, applications in high-dimensional data have generated rising interest in probabilistic association discovery. We developed a framework based on functions on the observation graph, named MeDiA (Mean Distance Association). We generalize its property to a group of functions on the observation graph. The group of functions encapsulates major existing methods in association discovery, e.g. mutual information and Brownian Covariance, and can be expanded to more complicated forms. We conducted numerical comparison of the statistical power of related methods under multiple scenarios. We further demonstrated the application of MeDiA as a method of gene set analysis that captures a broader range of responses than traditional gene set analysis methods.

Utilization of sorghum, rice, corn flours with potato starch for the preparation of gluten-free pasta

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of mixture of sorghum-rice-corn flour and potato starch in the development of gluten-free pasta for celiac disease patients. The experiment was designed according to simplex-lattice method and different types of gluten-free flours were used, such as sorghum, rice, corn, and potato starch. The fifteen formulations were subjected to sensory analysis (Mixed Structured Scale - MSS) and seven formulations were selected in respect to taste and grittiness. These formulations were subjected to Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA), which evaluated the attributes: appearance, color, odor, hardness, elasticity, stickiness, grittiness, taste, residual bitterness and overall quality. Results showed significant difference in appearance, color and hardness. The formulations that showed the best sensory results were submitted to chemical analysis and cooking quality of pasta. It was observed that the best results for mixing is sorghum flour, rice flour and potato starch.

Adaptive response activated by dietary cis9, trans11 conjugated linoleic acid prevents distinct signs of gliadin-induced enteropathy in mice

PURPOSE

The beneficial effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) mixture (cis9, trans11, c9; trans10, cis12, t10) against gliadin-induced toxicity in HLA-DQ8-transgenic mice (DQ8) have been associated with improved duodenal cytoprotective mechanisms [nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2, Nrf2; acylpeptide hydrolase (APEH)/proteasome]. The present study was aimed at investigating the ability of individual CLA isomers to improve the efficacy of these defensive mechanisms and to protect against duodenal injury caused by the combined administration of gliadin and indomethacin (GI).

METHODS

Gluten-mediated enteropathy was induced in DQ8 mice by three intra-gastric administration of gliadin (20 mg kg(-1)/bw) and indomethacin (15 mg L(-1)) in drinking water for 10 days (GI). C9 or t10 CLA (520 mg kg(-1)/bw/day) were orally administered for 2 weeks. Pro-oxidant and toxic effects associated with GI treatment, anti-oxidant/detoxifying ability of c9 or t10-CLA and the protective effect induced by c9 pre-treatment (c9 + GI) were evaluated in DQ8 mice duodenum by combining enzymatic, immunoblotting, histological evaluation and quantitative real-time PCR assays.

RESULTS

GI treatment produces the time-dependent decline of the considered detoxifying mechanisms thus leading to pro-apoptotic and pro-oxidant effects. APEH/proteasome pathway was not markedly affected by individual CLA isomers, but duodenal redox status and activity/mRNA levels of Nrf2-activated enzymes were significantly improved by c9 administration. c9 pre-treatment protects against GI-mediated accumulation of oxidative stress markers, and histological examination reveals the increase of goblet cells number in mouse duodenum but induces only a partial recovery of APEH/proteasome activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The activation of and adaptive response by low doses of c9 supplementation prevents distinct signs of gliadin-induced enteropathy in DQ8 mice.

Humoral immunity links Candida albicans infection and celiac disease

Objective

The protein Hwp1, expressed on the pathogenic phase of Candida albicans, presents sequence analogy with the gluten protein gliadin and is also a substrate for transglutaminase. This had led to the suggestion that C. albicans infection (CI) may be a triggering factor for Celiac disease (CeD) onset. We investigated cross-immune reactivity between CeD and CI.

Methods

Serum IgG levels against recombinant Hwp1 and serological markers of CeD were measured in 87 CeD patients, 41 CI patients, and 98 healthy controls (HC). IgA and IgG were also measured in 20 individuals from each of these groups using microchips sensitized with 38 peptides designed from the N-terminal of Hwp1.

Results

CI and CeD patients had higher levels of anti-Hwp1 (p=0.0005 and p=0.004) and anti-gliadin (p=0.002 and p=0.0009) antibodies than HC but there was no significant difference between CeD and CI patients. CeD and CI patients had higher levels of anti-transglutaminase IgA than HC (p=0.0001 and p=0.0039). During CI, the increase in anti-Hwp1 paralleled the increase in anti-gliadin antibodies. Microchip analysis showed that CeD patients were more reactive against some Hwp1 peptides than CI patients, and that some deamidated peptides were more reactive than their native analogs. Binding of IgG from CeD patients to Hwp1 peptides was inhibited by γIII gliadin peptides.

Conclusions

Humoral cross-reactivity between Hwp1 and gliadin was observed during CeD and CI. Increased reactivity to Hwp1 deamidated peptide suggests that transglutaminase is involved in this interplay. These results support the hypothesis that CI may trigger CeD onset in genetically-susceptible individuals.

Hepatic hemangioma in celiac patients: data from a large consecutive series

Background and Aims. Hepatic hemangioma (HH) has a widely ranging prevalence. The etiology is unclear; however, associations with autoimmune disorders have been described. We aimed at evaluating the prevalence of HH in celiac disease. Methods. Ninety-seven consecutive patients with celiac disease (18 M, 79 F, median age 41, and range 17-84 years) underwent liver ultrasound between January 2011 and 2012. The findings were compared with those of 1352 nonceliac patients (581 M, 771 F, median age 50, and range 16-94 years), without liver disease or previously detected HH, who underwent US in the same period. Results. Ultrasonographic findings consistent with HH were observed in 14 celiac patients (14.4%), a prevalence significantly higher than in controls (69 cases, 5.1%) (P = 0.0006). Subgroup analysis showed that, among women, the prevalence of HH was 16.4% in the celiac disease group (13/79) compared with 5.9% in controls (46/771) (P = 0.002). In celiac setting, HH had a median diameter of 1.3 cm and presented as a single lesion in 12 cases (86%). Conclusions. Our findings are consistent with a significantly higher prevalence of HH in celiac patients. Although mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear, autoimmune and metabolic processes, as well as alterations of gut-liver axis equilibrium, could play a role.

Prevalence and clinical features of celiac disease in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis: cross-sectional study

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder with an average prevalence of 1% in Europe and the United States. Because of strong European ancestry in southern Brazil, this study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of celiac disease among autoimmune thyroiditis patients.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Cross-sectional study in a public university hospital.

METHODS

This cross-sectional prevalence study included autoimmune thyroiditis patients who were tested for anti-endomysial and anti-transglutaminase antibodies between August 2010 and July 2011.

RESULTS

Fifty-three patients with autoimmune thyroiditis were included; 92.5% were women, with mean age of 49.0 ± 13.5 years. Five patients (9.3%) were serologically positive for celiac disease: three of them (5.6%) were reactive for anti-endomysial antibodies and two (3.7%) for anti-transglutaminase. None of them exhibited anemia and one presented diarrhea. Endoscopy was performed on two patients: one with normal histology and the other with lymphocytic infiltrate and villous atrophy.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of celiac disease among patients with autoimmune thyroid disease was 9.3%; one patient complained of diarrhea and none presented anemia. Among at-risk populations, like autoimmune thyroiditis patients, the presence of diarrhea or anemia should not be used as a criterion for indicating celiac disease investigation. This must be done for all autoimmune thyroiditis patients because of its high prevalence.

Prevalence and clinical features of celiac disease in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis: cross-sectional study

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder with an average prevalence of 1% in Europe and the United States. Because of strong European ancestry in southern Brazil, this study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of celiac disease among autoimmune thyroiditis patients.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Cross-sectional study in a public university hospital.

METHODS

This cross-sectional prevalence study included autoimmune thyroiditis patients who were tested for anti-endomysial and anti-transglutaminase antibodies between August 2010 and July 2011.

RESULTS

Fifty-three patients with autoimmune thyroiditis were included; 92.5% were women, with mean age of 49.0 ± 13.5 years. Five patients (9.3%) were serologically positive for celiac disease: three of them (5.6%) were reactive for anti-endomysial antibodies and two (3.7%) for anti-transglutaminase. None of them exhibited anemia and one presented diarrhea. Endoscopy was performed on two patients: one with normal histology and the other with lymphocytic infiltrate and villous atrophy.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of celiac disease among patients with autoimmune thyroid disease was 9.3%; one patient complained of diarrhea and none presented anemia. Among at-risk populations, like autoimmune thyroiditis patients, the presence of diarrhea or anemia should not be used as a criterion for indicating celiac disease investigation. This must be done for all autoimmune thyroiditis patients because of its high prevalence.

Celiac disease with cerebral and peripheral nerve involvement mimicking multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVES

Due to the similarity in the clinical presentation, morphology, and course, celiac disease (CD) may be mixed up with other immunological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS).

CASE REPORT

In a 43-year-old Caucasian male with a history of diarrhea and colics since young age, progressive sensory disturbances developed since age 18 years. At age 34, he was diagnosed as relapsing-remitting MS upon an inflammatory CSF-syndrome and non-specific white matter lesions and treated with interferon beta-1b during the next 8 years without effect. At age 35, axonal polyneuropathy and ataxia were diagnosed. Despite normal anti-gliadin, endomysial, and transglutaminase antibodies, CD was diagnosed at age 41, based upon the history, polyneuropathy, positivity for HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8, the white matter lesions, and a beneficial response of the gastrointestinal problems and polyneuropathy to gluten-free diet.

CONCLUSIONS

CD may mimic MS and may be present despite the absence of anti-gliadin, endomysial or transglutaminase antibodies. CD should be considered if there is a gastrointestinal problem, polyneuropathy, and ataxia, even if CSF and MRI findings are suggestive of MS.

Involvement of heat shock proteins in gluten-sensitive enteropathy

Gluten-sensitive enteropathy, also known as coeliac disease (CD), is an autoimmune disorder occurring in genetically susceptible individuals that damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of other nutrients. As it is triggered by dietary gluten and related prolamins present in wheat, rye and barley, the accepted treatment for CD is a strict gluten-free diet. However, a complete exclusion of gluten-containing cereals from the diet is often difficult, and new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. A class of proteins that have already emerged as drug targets for other autoimmune diseases are the heat shock proteins (HSPs), which are highly conserved stress-induced chaperones that protect cells against harmful extracellular factors. HSPs are expressed in several tissues, including the gastrointestinal tract, and their levels are significantly increased under stress circumstances. HSPs exert immunomodulatory effects, and also play a crucial role in the maintenance of epithelial cell structure and function, as they are responsible for adequate protein folding, influence the degradation of proteins and cell repair processes after damage, and modulate cell signalling, cell proliferation and apoptosis. The present review discusses the involvement of HSPs in the pathophysiology of CD. Furthermore, HSPs may represent a useful therapeutic target for the treatment of CD due to the cytoprotective, immunomodulatory, and anti-apoptotic effects in the intestinal mucosal barrier.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a common symptom in primary care with many causes ranging from benign to life threatening. Appropriate evaluation and management are guided by the patient's history, which provides valuable clues as to the source of the patient's symptoms. Ultimately a diagnosis may not be identified for many patients presenting with fatigue, and in these patients management is the most challenging. This article offers guidance in the management of patients presenting with fatigue including key aspects of the patient's history of present illness, the building of a differential diagnosis, rational evaluation in a patient with a nondiagnostic history, and management in the setting of a nondiagnostic work-up.

Prevalence and clinical features of celiac disease in patients with hepatitis B virus infection in Southern Brazil

INTRODUCTION

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that involves gluten intolerance and can be triggered by environmental factors including hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of celiac disease in individuals with HBV infection and to describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics of celiac disease associated with HBV.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 50 hepatitis B patients tested for IgA anti-endomysial antibodies (EMAs) and tissue anti-transglutaminase (TTG) between August 2011 and September 2012.

RESULTS

Fifty patients were included with a mean age of 46.0 ± 12.6 (46.0) years; 46% were female and 13% were HBeAg+. Six patients had positive serology for celiac disease, four were EMA+, and five were TTG+. When individuals with positive serology for celiac disease were compared to those with negative serology, they demonstrated a higher prevalence of abdominal pain (100% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.008), lower median creatinine (0.7 mg/dL vs. 0.9 mg/dL, p = 0.007) and lower mean albumin (3.6 ± 0.4 g/L vs. 3.9 ± 0.3g/L, p = 0.022). All individuals with positive serology for celiac disease underwent upper digestive endoscopy, and three of the patients exhibited a macroscopic pattern suggestive of celiac disease. Histologically, five patients demonstrated an intra-epithelial lymphocytic infiltrate level > 30%, and four patients showed villous atrophy associated with crypt hyperplasia on duodenal biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

An increased prevalence of celiac disease was observed among hepatitis B patients. These patients were symptomatic and had significant laboratory abnormalities. These results indicate that active screening for celiac disease among HBV-infected adults is warranted.

Two wheat decapeptides prevent gliadin-dependent maturation of human dendritic cells

Celiac disease (CD) is a small intestinal enteropathy, triggered in susceptible individuals by the ingestion of dietary gluten. Dendritic cells (DC) are instrumental in the generation and regulation of immune responses and oversee intestinal immune homeostasis promoting and maintaining oral tolerance to food antigens. The aim of this study was to monitor the effect of peptic-tryptic digest of gliadin (PT-gliadin) on the maturation of human monocyte-derived DC and the impact of pDAV and pRPQ decapeptides in the modulation of PT-gliadin-induced phenotypic and functional DC maturation. Immature DC (iDC) were challenged in vitro with PT-gliadin. In some experiments iDC were pre-treated with pDAV or pRPQ and after 2h PT-gliadin was added to the cultures. We found that PT-gliadin up-regulates the expression of the maturation markers HLA-DR, CD83, CD80 and CD86. The functional consequence of PT-gliadin treatment of iDC is a significant increase in IL-12, TNF-alpha production as well as in their T cell stimulatory capacity. On the contrary, the digest of zein had no effect on DC maturation. Interestingly, we found that pre-treatment of iDC with pDAV or pRPQ decapeptides significantly prevents the functional maturation of DC induced by PT-gliadin. On the other hand, pDAV and pRPQ did not revert the PT-gliadin-induced phenotypic maturation of DC. Here we report, for the first time, that naturally occurring peptides are able to prevent the gliadin-dependent DC maturation. This finding could have implication for CD, raising the perspective of a potential therapeutic strategy alternative to a gluten free diet.

Clinical features and symptom recovery on a gluten-free diet in Canadian adults with celiac disease

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease can present with mild or nongastrointestinal symptoms, and may escape timely recognition. The treatment of celiac disease involves a gluten-free diet, which is complex and challenging.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate clinical features and symptom recovery on a gluten-free diet in a Canadian adult celiac population.

METHODS

All adult members (n=10,693) of the two national celiac support organizations, the Canadian Celiac Association and Fondation québécoise de la maladie coeliaque, were surveyed using a questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 5912 individuals (≥18 years of age) with biopsy-confirmed celiac disease and⁄or dermatitis herpetiformis completed the survey. The female to male ratio was 3:1, and mean (± SD) age at diagnosis was 45.2 ± 16.4 years. Mean time to diagnosis after onset of symptoms was 12.0 ± 14.4 years. Abdominal pain and bloating (84.9%), extreme weakness⁄tiredness (74.2%), diarrhea (71.7%) and anemia (67.8%) were the most commonly reported symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Many respondents continued to experience symptoms after being on a gluten-free diet for >5 years. Sex differences were reported in clinical features before diagnosis, recovery after being on gluten-free diet and perceived quality of life, with women experiencing more difficulties than men.

CONCLUSIONS

Delays in diagnosis of celiac disease in Canada remain unacceptably long despite wider availability of serological screening tests. Many patients report continuing symptoms despite adhering to a gluten-free diet for >5 years, with women experiencing more symptoms and a lower recovery rate than men. Awareness of celiac disease needs improvement, and follow-up with a physician and a dietitian is essential for all patients with celiac disease.

Faecal short-chain fatty acid pattern in childhood coeliac disease is normalised after more than one year's gluten-free diet

OBJECTIVE

Recent work indicates that the gut microflora is altered in patients with coeliac disease (CD). Faecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are produced by the gut microflora. We have previously reported a high SCFA output in children with symptomatic and asymptomatic CD at presentation, as well as in CD children on a gluten-free diet (GFD) for less than 1 year, indicating deviant gut microfloral function. In this report, we focus on faecal SCFA production in coeliacs on GFD for more than 1 year.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Faecal samples were collected from 53 children with CD at presentation, 74 coeliac children on GFD for less than 1 year, and 25 individuals diagnosed with CD in childhood and on GFD for more than 1 year. The control group comprised 54 healthy children (HC). The faecal samples were analysed to show the SCFA pattern taken as a marker of gut microflora function. We applied a new fermentation index, reflecting the inflammatory activity of the SCFAs (amount of acetic acid minus propionic acid and n-butyric acid, together divided by the total amount of SCFAs).

RESULTS

In coeliacs on GFD for more than 1 year, the individual SCFAs, total SCFA, and fermentation index did not differ significantly from the findings in controls. In contrast, the faecal SCFA level was clearly higher in coeliacs treated with GFD for less than 1 year compared to those more than 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study on SCFA patterns in faecal samples from individuals with CD on GFD for more than 1 year. Our study indicates that the disturbed gut microflora function in children with CD at presentation and after less than 1 year of GFD, previously demonstrated by us, is normalised on GFD for more than 1 year.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus and celiac disease: endothelial dysfunction

Many reports indicate a hypercoagulative state in diabetes mellitus as result of endothelial damage. Experimental evidence suggests that a metabolic derangement triggers a cascade of biochemical events that lead to vascular dysfunction. The net effect is to convert the endothelium from thromboresistant to thrombogenic surface. In literature, a strong association between type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) and celiac disease (CD) has been reported. We do not have information about the hemostatic system in these associated conditions. Our study aims at evaluating whether the presence of CD in a group of DM1 patients is associated with a different expression of some hemostatic factors and with a different manifestation and/or progression of microvascular complications of DM1 in comparison with patients with only diabetes. Ninety-four adult DM1 patients were enrolled in the study and subsequently screened for CD. Anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA) were positive in 13 of 94 DM1 patients (13.8%). CD diagnosis was confirmed by histology and organ culture. The mean age and duration of DM1 of patients also affected by CD were similar to those of only diabetic patients, but the metabolic control and the hemocoagulative parameters were significantly different between the two groups: DM1 patients also affected by CD presented significantly lower concentrations of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (P < 0.05), cholesterol (P < 0.001), triglycerides (P < 0.001), factor VII antigen (FVII:ag) (P < 0.005), factor VII coagulant activity (FVII:c) (P < 0.05), and prothrombin degradation fragments (F1+2) (P < 0.001), as well as higher values of activated C protein (APC) (<0.001). No retinal abnormalities and no signs of renal damage were observed in DM1 patients also affected by CD. Our results suggest a potential protective role of CD in the prothrombotic state of DM1.

CYP3A4-catalyzed simvastatin metabolism as a non-invasive marker of small intestinal health in celiac disease

OBJECTIVES

Histological examination of duodenal biopsies is the gold standard for assessing intestinal damage in celiac disease (CD). A noninvasive marker of disease status is necessary, because obtaining duodenal biopsies is invasive and not suitable for routine monitoring of CD patients. As the small intestine is a major site of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) activity and also the location of the celiac lesion, we investigated whether patients with active CD display abnormal pharmacokinetics of an orally administered CYP3A4 substrate, simvastatin (SV), which could potentially be used for noninvasive assessment of their small intestinal health.

METHODS

Preclinical experiments were performed in CYP3A4-humanized mice to examine the feasibility of the test. Subsequently, a clinical trial was undertaken with 11 healthy volunteers, 18 newly diagnosed patients with CD, and 25 celiac patients who had followed a gluten-free diet (GFD) for more than 1 year. The maximum concentration (Cmax) of orally administered SV plus its major non-CYP3A4-derived metabolite SV acid (SV equivalent (SVeq)) was measured, and compared with clinical, histological, and serological parameters.

RESULTS

In CYP3A4-humanized mice, a marked decrease in SV metabolism was observed in response to enteropathy. In the clinical setting, untreated celiac patients displayed a significantly higher SVeq Cmax (46±24 nM) compared with treated patients (21±16 nM, P<0.001) or healthy subjects (19±11 nM, P<0.005). SVeq Cmax correctly predicted the diagnosis in 16/18 untreated celiac patients, and also the recovery status of all follow-up patients that exhibited normal or near-normal biopsies (Marsh 0-2). All patients with abnormal SVeq Cmax showed a reduction in the value after 1 year of following a GFD.

CONCLUSIONS

SVeq Cmax is a promising noninvasive marker for assessment of small intestinal health. Further studies are warranted to establish its clinical utility for assessing gut status of patients with CD.

Biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring of celiac disease

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder, which damages the small intestine and is caused by ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. The only known effective treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet. Genetic risk factors have been identified and nearly all patients are HLA-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8 positive. Specific autoantibodies, IgA antitissue transglutaminase-2, antiendomysium, and antideaminated forms of gliadin peptide antibodies, are widely used as diagnostic aids in celiac patients. However, the discovery of new biomarkers may help in the diagnosis and follow-up of the disease. Recently, the molecule REG Iα, involved in tissue regeneration, has been proposed as a new biomarker of CD. REG Iα expression is increased in the target tissue and in the sera of celiac patients during damage and inflammation, decreasing after gluten-free diet. In this article we review the main biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring of CD, focusing on the immune response-related mechanisms.

Prospective antibody case finding of coeliac disease in type-1 diabetes children: need of biopsy revisited

AIM

To evaluate whether coeliac disease (CD) can be diagnosed by measuring autoantibodies without small-intestinal mucosal biopsies in children with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

Case finding of CD was undertaken in 181 consecutive IgA-competent children with type 1 diabetes using transglutaminase 2 (TG2) and endomysial IgA antibody (EMA) tests in serum and the rapid point of care test in fingertip whole-blood sample. Endoscopy with intestinal biopsies was recommended for patients with high TG2-IgA titres (>96 U) and in children with lower positive tests if either the EMA test or the rapid point of care test was additionally positive. The duodenal mucosal biopsies were graded according to the Marsh classification.

RESULTS

The TG2-IgA test had a 15.5% and the EMA test a 6.0% seropositivity. All seven biopsied high-titre TG2-IgA-positive children were symptom free and found to have CD (Marsh 3 type lesion). These patients were also positive for EMA and in the rapid point of care test. Lower titre TG2-IgA-positive children had histological Marsh 1 to 3a lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

None of the type 1 diabetes children with high TG2-IgA titres would have needed endoscopy with duodenal biopsies to reach a CD diagnosis. Lower TG2-IgA-positive patients need to be biopsied.

Celiac disease and diabetes mellitus diagnosed in a pediatric patient with Hirschsprung disease

Hirschsprung disease is a disorder of neural crest migration characterized by intestinal aganglionosis along a variable segment of the gastrointestinal tract. It is a complex disorder associated with several syndromes. Celiac disease is an autoimmune enteropathy characterized by dietary intolerance to gluten proteins and can be associated with autoimmune conditions such as diabetes mellitus. Celiac disease can mimic Hirschsprung disease when presenting with constipation and abdominal distention. We present the case of celiac disease diagnosed in a patient with Hirschsprung disease who subsequently developed type one diabetes mellitus.

Evaluation of a point-of-care test based on deamidated gliadin peptides for celiac disease screening in a large pediatric population

OBJECTIVES

Celiac disease (CD) is nowadays known to be a common chronic enteropathy that is becoming a growing public health concern. Yet, it is estimated that more than 90% of patients remain undiagnosed. A point-of-care diagnostic test can be a rapid and cost-effective solution in the first-line screening of CD. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of a novel point-of-care screening test in a large pediatric population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Serum samples were collected from a cohort of 250 children presenting either an increased risk or a clinical suspicion of CD. All sera were tested using the point-of-care test detecting IgA and IgG antibodies against a combination of three different deamidated gliadin peptides as well as total IgA. The results of the screening test were compared with an enzyme-linked tissue transglutaminase immunosorbent assay and with histology resulting from intestinal biopsies performed in patients with elevated titers of antitissue transglutaminase antibodies.

RESULTS

The point-of-care test showed highly concordant results with the laboratory immunoassay, yielding a sensitivity of 93.1 (78-98.1%) and a specificity of 95% (91.2-97.2%), with a diagnostic accuracy of 94.8% (91.3-96.9%) and a negative predictive value of 99.1% (96.6-99.7%). The screening test identified all patients with celiac-type histology findings on biopsy, as well as all patients with concomitant IgA deficiency.

CONCLUSION

With a high diagnostic accuracy, this novel point-of-care approach is an efficient tool for CD case finding in pediatric populations. It has the potential to improve the management of celiac patients in primary care by providing faster counseling and treatment.

HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 in Celiac disease predisposition: practical implications of the HLA molecular typing

Celiac disease (CD) is a multifactorial disorder with an estimated prevalence in Europe and USA of 1:100 and a female:male ratio of approximately 2:1. The disorder has a multifactorial etiology in which the triggering environmental factor, the gluten, and the main genetic factors, Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 loci, are well known. About 90-95% of CD patients carry DQ2.5 heterodimers, encoded by DQA1*05 and DQB1*02 alleles both in cis or in trans configuration, and DQ8 molecules, encoded by DQB1*03:02 generally in combination with DQA1*03 variant. Less frequently, CD occurs in individuals positive for the DQ2.x heterodimers (DQA1≠*05 and DQB1*02) and very rarely in patients negative for these DQ predisposing markers. HLA molecular typing for Celiac disease is, therefore, a genetic test with a negative predictive value. Nevertheless, it is an important tool able to discriminate individuals genetically susceptible to CD, especially in at-risk groups such as first-degree relatives (parents, siblings and offspring) of patients and in presence of autoimmune conditions (type 1 diabetes, thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis) or specific genetic disorders (Down, Turner or Williams syndromes).

A randomized, double-blind study of larazotide acetate to prevent the activation of celiac disease during gluten challenge

OBJECTIVES

In patients with celiac disease, enteropathy is caused by the entry of gluten peptides into the lamina propria of the intestine, in which their immunogenicity is potentiated by tissue transglutaminase (tTG) and T-helper type 1-mediated immune responses are triggered. Tight junction disassembly and paracellular permeability are believed to have an important role in the transport of gluten peptides to the lamina propria. Larazotide acetate is a tight-junction regulator peptide that, in vitro, prevents the opening of intestinal epithelial tight junctions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of larazotide acetate in protecting against gluten-induced intestinal permeability and gastrointestinal symptom severity in patients with celiac disease.

METHODS

In this dose-ranging, placebo-controlled study, 86 patients with celiac disease controlled through diet were randomly assigned to larazotide acetate (0.25, 1, 4, or 8 mg) or placebo three times per day with or without gluten challenge (2.4 g/day) for 14 days. The primary efficacy outcome was the urinary lactulose/mannitol (LAMA) fractional excretion ratio. Secondary endpoints included gastrointestinal symptom severity, quality-of-life measures, and antibodies to tTG.

RESULTS

LAMA measurements were highly variable in the outpatient setting. The increase in LAMA ratio associated with the gluten challenge was not statistically significantly greater than the increase in the gluten-free control. Among patients receiving the gluten challenge, the difference in the LAMA ratios for the larazotide acetate and placebo groups was not statistically significant. However, larazotide acetate appeared to limit gluten-induced worsening of gastrointestinal symptom severity as measured by the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale at some lower doses but not at the higher dose. Symptoms worsened significantly in the gluten challenge-placebo arm compared with the placebo-placebo arm, suggesting that 2.4 g of gluten per day is sufficient to induce reproducible gluten toxicity. Larazotide acetate was generally well tolerated. No serious adverse events were observed. The most common adverse events were headache and urinary tract infection.

CONCLUSIONS

LAMA variability in the outpatient setting precluded accurate assessment of the effect of larazotide acetate on intestinal permeability. However, some lower doses of larazotide acetate appeared to prevent the increase in gastrointestinal symptom severity induced by gluten challenge.

Is enteroscopy necessary for diagnosis of celiac disease?

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the small intestine as a result of reaction to wheat protein, gluten. Exclusion of dietary gluten is the mainstay of the treatment that necessitates a precise diagnosis of the disease. Serological screening may aid in identifying patients with suspected CD, which should be confirmed by intestinal biopsy. It has been shown that duodenal biopsies are good for detection of the disease in most patients. However, there is a group of patients with positive serology and inconclusive pathology. As a result of the widespread use of serology, many patients with equivocal findings grow quickly. Unfortunately current endoscopic methods can only diagnose villous atrophy, which can be present in the later grades of disease (i.e., Marsh III). To diagnose CD correctly, going deeper in the intestine may be necessary. Enteroscopy can reveal changes in CD in the intestinal mucosa in 10%-17% of cases that have negative histology at initial workup. Invasiveness of the method limits its use. Capsule endoscopy may be a good substitute for enteroscopy. However, both techniques should be reserved for patients with suspected diagnosis of complications. This paper reviews the current literature in terms of the value of enteroscopy for diagnosis of CD.

Vitamin B-12 and folate status in relation to decline in scores on the mini-mental state examination in the framingham heart study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the cognitive significance of low to low-normal plasma vitamin B-12 concentrations and to shed light on the role that folate status plays in the association between vitamin B-12 status and cognitive decline.

DESIGN

Associations between plasma vitamin B-12 and folate and 8-year cognitive decline were evaluated, and the effects of interactions between vitamin B-12 status and folate status and supplemental folate use on cognitive decline were assessed.

SETTING

The Framingham Heart Study - a prospective epidemiological study.

PARTICIPANTS

Five hundred forty-nine community-dwelling individuals aged 74.8 ± 4.6.

MEASUREMENTS

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), plasma folate, vitamin B-12, methylmalonic acid, homocysteine, demographic factors, and body mass index.

RESULTS

MMSE scores declined by 0.24 points per year over the 8-year follow-up period. Decline was significantly faster in cohort members in the bottom two plasma vitamin B-12 quintile categories, and no apparent cognitive advantage was associated with plasma vitamin B-12 from 187 to 256.8 pmol/L over less than 186 pmol/L. In cohort members with plasma vitamin B-12 less than 258 pmol/L, having a plasma folate concentration greater than 20.2 nmol/L was associated with an approximate 1-point per year decline, as was use of supplemental folate.

CONCLUSION

Plasma vitamin B-12 levels from 187 to 256.8 pmol/L predict cognitive decline. Furthermore, having plasma vitamin B-12 levels in this range or below in conjunction with high plasma folate or supplemental folate use predicts especially rapid cognitive decline.

Transient elastography in patients with celiac disease: a noninvasive method to detect liver involvement associated with celiac disease

BACKGROUND

Liver involvement in celiac disease (CD) is clinically relevant and could require specific treatment in addition to gluten-free diet (GFD). Transient elastography (TE), a noninvasive tool for assessing liver stiffness (LS), has widely been reported as an accurate surrogate marker of liver fibrosis.

AIMS

To prospectively identify celiac patients with liver involvement by TE and to assess the effect of GFD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Ninety-five histologically confirmed CD patients (24 newly diagnosed) were consecutively evaluated by TE and compared with 146 patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) and 54 healthy subjects.

RESULTS

LS ranged between 2.8 and 6.7 kPa (median 4.9) in healthy subjects, defining 6.9 kPa as the upper reference limit (2 SD above the mean levels). TE was above 6.9 kPa in 10 (10.5%) CD patients. Median TE values resulted significantly higher in CD patients with hypertransaminasemia than those without [6.1 vs. 4.2 kPa (p < 0.01)]. Among the 24 newly diagnosed patients with CD, median TE values declined from 4.4 to 4 kPa, after 6 months of GFD, resulting below 6.9 kPa in 100% of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

A subset of CD patients with hypertransaminasemia showed liver involvement by TE. Accordingly, based on its accuracy in predicting liver fibrosis, TE could be used to identify those CD patients suitable for liver biopsy.

Larazotide acetate regulates epithelial tight junctions in vitro and in vivo

Tight junctions (TJs) control paracellular permeability and apical-basolateral polarity of epithelial cells, and can be regulated by exogenous and endogenous stimuli. Dysregulated permeability is associated with pathological conditions, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease. Herein we studied the mechanism by which larazotide acetate, an 8-mer peptide and TJ regulator, inhibits the cellular changes elicited by gliadin fragments, AT-1002, and cytokines. Previously, we demonstrated that AT-1002, a 6-mer peptide derived from the Vibrio cholerae zonula occludens toxin ZOT, caused several biochemical changes in IEC6 and Caco-2 cells resulting in decreased transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and increased TJ permeability. In this study, larazotide acetate inhibited the redistribution and rearrangement of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and actin caused by AT-1002 and gliadin fragments in Caco-2 and IEC6 cells. Functionally, larazotide acetate inhibited the AT-1002-induced TEER reduction and TJ opening in Caco-2 cells. Additionally, larazotide acetate inhibited the translocation of a gliadin 13-mer peptide, which has been implicated in celiac disease, across Caco-2 cell monolayers. Further, apically applied larazotide acetate inhibited the increase in TJ permeability elicited by basolaterally applied cytokines. Finally, when tested in vivo in gliadin-sensitized HLA-HCD4/DQ8 double transgenic mice, larazotide acetate inhibited gliadin-induced macrophage accumulation in the intestine and preserved normal TJ structure. Taken together, our data suggest that larazotide acetate inhibits changes elicited by AT-1002, gliadin, and cytokines in epithelial cells and preserves TJ structure and function in vitro and in vivo.

Review article: coeliac disease, new approaches to therapy

BACKGROUND

Coeliac disease is managed by life-long gluten withdrawal from the diet. However, strict adherence to a gluten-free diet is difficult and is not always effective. Novel therapeutic approaches are needed to supplement or even replace the dietary treatment.

AIM

To review recent advances in new therapeutic options for coeliac disease.

METHODS

A literature search was performed on MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, DDW.org and ClinicalTrials.gov for English articles and abstracts. The search terms used included, but not limited to, 'Celiac disease', 'new', 'novel', 'Advances', 'alternatives' and 'Drug therapy'. The cited articles were selected based on the relevancy to the review objective.

RESULTS

Several new therapeutic approaches for coeliac disease are currently under development by targeting its underlying pathogenesis. Alternative therapies range from reproduction of harmless wheat strains to immunomodulatory approaches. Some of these therapies such as enzymatic cleavage of gluten and permeability inhibitors have shown promise in clinical studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Gluten-free diet is still the only practical treatment for patients with coeliac disease. Novel strategies provide promise of alternative adjunctive approaches to diet restriction alone for patients with this disorder.

Frequency of celiac disease in adult patients with typical or atypical malabsorption symptoms in isfahan, iran

Aim. Atypical presentations of celiac disease (CD) have now been shown to be much more common than classical (typical) form. We evaluated the frequency of CD among adult patients with typical or atypical symptoms of CD. Materials and Methods. Patients referred to two outpatient gastroenterology clinics in Isfahan (IRAN) were categorized into those with typical or atypical symptoms of CD. IgA antitissue transglutaminase antibody was assessed and followed by duodenal biopsy. In patients for whom endoscopy was indicated (independent of the serology), duodenal biopsy was taken. Histopathological changes were assessed according to the Marsh classification. Results. During the study period, 151 and 173 patients with typical and atypical symptoms were evaluated (mean age = 32.8 ± 12.6 and 35.8 ± 14.8 years, 47.0% and 56.0% female, resp.). Frequency of CD in patients with typical and atypical symptoms was calculated, respectively, as 5.9% (9/151) and 1.25% (3/173) based on positive serology and pathology. The overall frequency was estimated as at least 9.2% (14/151) and 4.0% (7/173) when data of seronegative patients were also considered. Conclusions. CD is more frequent among patients with typical symptoms of malabsorption and these patients should undergo duodenal biopsy, irrespective of the serology. In patients with atypical symptoms, serological tests should be performed followed by endoscopic biopsy, and routine duodenal biopsy is recommended when endoscopic evaluation is indicated because of symptoms.

Pregnancy outcome and risk of celiac disease in offspring: a nationwide case-control study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Studies on pregnancy characteristics and mode of delivery and risk of later celiac disease in offspring are inconsistent. In recent decades rates of cesarean delivery and preterm birth survival have increased while at the same time the prevalence of celiac disease has doubled.

METHODS

In this population-based case-control study we examined the risk of celiac disease in individuals exposed to cesarean delivery and adverse fetal events (ie, low Apgar score, small for gestational age, low birth weight, preterm birth, and neonatal infections). Prospectively recorded pregnancy data were obtained from the Swedish Medical Birth Register between 1973 and 2008. Study participants consisted of 11,749 offspring with biopsy-verified celiac disease identified through histopathology reports from Sweden's 28 pathology departments, and 53,887 age- and sex-matched controls from the general population.

RESULTS

We found a positive association between elective cesarean delivery and later celiac disease (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.26), but no increased risk of celiac disease after emergency (adjusted OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.92-1.13) or any cesarean delivery (adjusted OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.99-1.13). Infants born small for gestational age were at a 21% increased risk of celiac disease (95% CI, 1.09-1.35), whereas other pregnancy exposures did not increase the risk of future celiac disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The positive association with elective, but not emergency, cesarean delivery is consistent with the hypothesis that the bacterial flora of the newborn plays a role in the development of celiac disease.

Externalities from grain consumption: a survey

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) publishes their MyPyramid plan as a recommended eating model for all Americans. As part of this model, grain consumption is emphasized. This grain consumption has the potential to generate positive externalities, such as reduced rates of obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases. Such positive externalities can potentially produce tangible economic benefits in terms of public health. In contrast, newer nutritional research shows that grain consumption may have negative effects on health for certain population groups. Celiac disease is four times as common as it was 50 years ago and is often under-diagnosed. Other population groups exhibit gluten sensitivity which can impact the development of asthma, allergies and neurological difficulties. This survey intends to provide a comprehensive description of both the positive and negative externalities associated with grain consumption and the resulting impact on human health.

Does a Coeliac School increase psychological well-being in women suffering from coeliac disease, living on a gluten-free diet?

AIM AND OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of an active method of patient education on the psychological well-being of women with coeliac disease in remission.

BACKGROUND

Despite remission with a gluten-free diet, adults with coeliac disease and especially women experience a subjective poor health. Self-management education seems to be promising tool to help patients suffering from coeliac disease to cope with their disorder.

DESIGN

A randomised controlled trial.

METHODS

A total of 106 women, ≥ 20 years, with confirmed coeliac disease, who had been on a gluten-free diet for a minimum of five years. The intervention group (n = 54) underwent a 10-session educational programme, 'Coeliac School', based on problem-based learning. The controls (n = 52) received information regarding coeliac disease sent home on a regular basis. The primary outcomes were psychological general well-being measured with a validated questionnaire.

RESULTS

Participants in the Coeliac School reported a significant improvement in psychological well-being at 10 weeks, whereas the controls given usual care reported a worsening in psychological well-being. After six months, a significant improvement remained for the index of vitality.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient education increased psychological well-being in women with coeliac disease. There is a need to refine the methods of patient education to make the effects of well-being more pronounced over time.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Patient education using problem-based learning promotes self-management in coeliac disease by improving the well-being of patients who have been struggling with the gluten-free diet for years.

Identification of Rothia bacteria as gluten-degrading natural colonizers of the upper gastro-intestinal tract

Background

Gluten proteins, prominent constituents of barley, wheat and rye, cause celiac disease in genetically predisposed subjects. Gluten is notoriously difficult to digest by mammalian proteolytic enzymes and the protease-resistant domains contain multiple immunogenic epitopes. The aim of this study was to identify novel sources of gluten-digesting microbial enzymes from the upper gastro-intestinal tract with the potential to neutralize gluten epitopes.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Oral microorganisms with gluten-degrading capacity were obtained by a selective plating strategy using gluten agar. Microbial speciations were carried out by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. Enzyme activities were assessed using gliadin-derived enzymatic substrates, gliadins in solution, gliadin zymography, and 33-mer α-gliadin and 26-mer γ-gliadin immunogenic peptides. Fragments of the gliadin peptides were separated by RP-HPLC and structurally characterized by mass spectrometry. Strains with high activity towards gluten were typed as Rothia mucilaginosa and Rothia aeria. Gliadins (250 µg/ml) added to Rothia cell suspensions (OD₆₂₀ 1.2) were degraded by 50% after ∼30 min of incubation. Importantly, the 33-mer and 26-mer immunogenic peptides were also cleaved, primarily C-terminal to Xaa-Pro-Gln (XPQ) and Xaa-Pro-Tyr (XPY). The major gliadin-degrading enzymes produced by the Rothia strains were ∼70–75 kDa in size, and the enzyme expressed by Rothia aeria was active over a wide pH range (pH 3–10).

Conclusion/Significance

While the human digestive enzyme system lacks the capacity to cleave immunogenic gluten, such activities are naturally present in the oral microbial enzyme repertoire. The identified bacteria may be exploited for physiologic degradation of harmful gluten peptides.

Gluten contamination in the Canadian commercial oat supply

A growing body of evidence suggests that a majority of people with celiac disease and on a gluten-free diet can safely consume pure oats in moderate amounts; however, previous studies have indicated that the commercial oat supply in other countries, and in Canada to some extent, is contaminated with other grains. This study has confirmed that the commercial oat supply in Canada is heavily contaminated with gluten from other grains. Approximately 88% of the oat samples (n = 133) were contaminated above 20 mg kg⁻¹ and there were no differences between the oat types tested. Only one gluten-free variety of oats was analysed and it consistently provided negative results in all analyses. It is difficult to determine where the contamination originates, but there are possibilities for cross-contamination in the field, in the transport of the grain, in the storage of the grain, and in the milling and packaging facilities. It is clear from this study that only those products that have been certified ‘pure’ oats would be appropriate for a gluten-free diet.

Regenerating gene Iα is a biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of celiac disease: a preliminary study

The regenerating gene (REG) is a multigene family in humans that plays a role in tissue regeneration. The REG Iα protein is expressed in the pancreas and the gastrointestinal tract and is involved in the pathophysiology of gastritis, pancreatitis, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and type 1 diabetes (T1D). Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease caused by the ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. Our aim was to determine whether the serum REG Iα concentration reflects the destructive/regenerative process in the small bowel in CD. REG Iα was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 40 patients with active CD, and in 19 of them, REG Iα was assessed after following a gluten free diet. As controls, 35 healthy subjects were included in the study. Autoantibodies to transglutaminase, gliadin, and endomisium were measured also. We found a significant increase in REG Iα in the sera of CD patients when compared with controls. REG Iα levels decreased after a gluten-free diet together with a significant reduction in antitransglutaminase antibodies. T1D and pernicious anemia patients displayed normal serum REG Iα concentrations. This preliminary study suggests that REG Iα protein levels can be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring of CD.