title: The leaky gut of alcoholism: possible route of entry for toxic compounds.
abstract: Intestinal permeability was investigated with a chromium-51-EDTA (edetic acid) absorption test in 36 non-intoxicated alcoholic patients without liver cirrhosis or overt clinical evidence of malabsorption or malnutrition. Patients abstaining from alcohol for less than 4 days almost invariably had higher intestinal permeability than controls, and in many the abnormality persisted for up to 2 weeks after cessation of drinking. The presence of gastritis did not correlate with the presence of increased permeability. The site of altered intestinal permeability was shown by an in-vitro permeability test to be the small bowel. The increased intestinal permeability to toxic "non-absorbable" compounds of less than 5000 molecular weight may account for some of the extraintestinal tissue damage common in alcoholic patients.
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000378:metabolism*; D002860:Chromium Radioisotopes / Q000652:urine; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000652:urine; D000431:Ethanol / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000378:metabolism*; D007583:Jejunum / Q000473:pathology; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D010539:Permeability
chemical_list: D002860:Chromium Radioisotopes; D000431:Ethanol; D004492:Edetic Acid