Gastrointestinal effects of eating quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) in celiac patients.
OBJECTIVE
Celiac disease is an enteropathy triggered by dietary gluten found in wheat, rye, and barley. Treatment involves a strict gluten-free diet (GFD). Quinoa is a highly nutritive plant from the Andes that has been recommended as part of a GFD. However, in-vitro data suggested that quinoa prolamins can stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses in celiac patients. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the in-vivo effects of eating quinoa in adult celiac patients.


METHODS
Nineteen treated celiac patients consumed 50 g of quinoa every day for 6 weeks as part of their usual GFD. We evaluated diet, serology, and gastrointestinal parameters. Furthermore, we carried out detail histological assessment of 10 patients before and after eating quinoa.


RESULTS
Gastrointestinal parameters were normal. The ratio of villus height to crypt depth improved from slightly below normal values (2.8:1) to normal levels (3:1), surface-enterocyte cell height improved from 28.76 to 29.77 μm and the number of intra-epithelial lymphocytes per 100 enterocytes decreased from 30.3 to 29.7. Median values for all the blood tests remained within normal ranges, although total cholesterol (n=19) decreased from 4.6 to 4.3 mmol/l, low-density lipoprotein decreased from 2.46 to 2.45 mmol/l, high-density lipoprotein decreased from 1.8 to 1.68 mmol/l and triglycerides decreased from 0.80 to 0.79 mmol/l.


CONCLUSIONS
Addition of quinoa to the GFD of celiac patients was well tolerated and did not exacerbate the condition. There was a positive trend toward improved histological and serological parameters, particularly a mild hypocholesterolemic effect. Overall, this is the first clinical data suggesting that daily 50 g of quinoa for 6 weeks can be safely tolerated by celiac patients. However, further studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of quinoa consumption.
King's College London, Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Gastroenterology, The Rayne Institute (KCL), Gastroenterology Laboratory, London, UK.
Victor F
VF
Zevallos
Departamento de Producción Vegetal, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain.
L Irene
LI
Herencia
Departament of Histopathology, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
Fuju
F
Chang
King's College London, Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Gastroenterology, The Rayne Institute (KCL), Gastroenterology Laboratory, London, UK.
Suzanne
S
Donnelly
King's College London, Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Gastroenterology, The Rayne Institute (KCL), Gastroenterology Laboratory, London, UK.
H Julia
HJ
Ellis
King's College London, Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Gastroenterology, The Rayne Institute (KCL), Gastroenterology Laboratory, London, UK.
Paul J
PJ
Ciclitira
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D027465:Chenopodium quinoa; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D055050:Diet, Gluten-Free / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D028321:Plant Preparations