Gut microflora associated characteristics in first-degree relatives of children with celiac disease.
OBJECTIVE
In celiac disease (CD), enteropathy of the small bowel results from a T-cell-mediated reaction to gluten in the diet. In addition to gluten, other environmental and genetic factors participate in the disease pathogenesis. We have recently reported the finding of a significantly different short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profile in fecal samples from children with CD compared to healthy controls reflecting an aberrant gut microflora. The aim of the present study was to make a functional evaluation of the gut microflora status in non-celiac 1st degree relatives of children with CD.


METHODS
Fecal samples from 76 symptom-free, non-celiac, 1st degree CD relatives and from 91 aged-matched healthy controls were analyzed for fecal tryptic activity (FTA) and a number of SCFAs.


RESULTS
There was a significantly lower level of acetic acid and total SCFAs as well as a significantly increased level of i-butyric acid and FTA in relatives compared to healthy controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The FTA and the SCFA profiles in fecal samples from 1st degree relatives of children with CD are different from those of healthy individuals. The implication of this observation provides insight into the pathogenesis of CD and opens up the possibility of future new diagnostic, therapeutic and prophylactic strategies.
Tjellström
Bo
B
Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. bo.tjellstrom@ki.se
Stenhammar
Lars
L
Högberg
Lotta
L
Fälth-Magnusson
Karin
K
Magnusson
Karl-Eric
KE
Midtvedt
Tore
T
Sundqvist
Tommy
T
Houlston
Richard
R
Popat
Sanjay
S
Norin
Elisabeth
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009679:Nuclear Family; D012016:Reference Values; D014357:Trypsin / Q000032:analysis
D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D014357:Trypsin