title: Gut microflora associated characteristics in first-degree relatives of children with celiac disease.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. bo.tjellstrom@ki.se
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tjellström
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stenhammar
authors.forename: Lotta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Högberg
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fälth-Magnusson
authors.forename: Karl-Eric
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Magnusson
authors.forename: Tore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Midtvedt
authors.forename: Tommy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sundqvist
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Houlston
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Popat
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Norin
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D014357:Trypsin