Abstract
Background and aimChronic inflammation is a primary risk factor for chronic metabolic disease and may be triggered by a “leaky gut.” Several biomarkers have been recognized to indicate intestinal permeability (i.e., leaky gut) and bacterial translocation. Nonetheless, which of these biomarkers exhibit the highest correlation with metabolic health parameters remains unclear. Hence, this study aimed to explore the correlation between leaky gut-related markers and metabolic health.MethodsBased on waist circumference, plasma fasting glucose, plasma gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and plasma LDL cholesterol, two groups of 40 subjects with the most extreme metabolic health profiles were selected from the NQplus cohort study (n = 2048), which was previously conducted by the Wageningen University’s Division of Human Nutrition. Eight potential leaky gut-related markers were selected from the literature and measured in serum or EDTA plasma samples of these selected individuals. These samples were also obtained from the NQplus cohort study.ResultsFrom the leaky gut markers, levels of zonulin, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, soluble CD14, bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein, and peptidoglycan were significantly higher in individuals with unhealthy metabolic profiles (p<0.05). No differences in EndoCAb IgM, EndoCAb IgA, and EndoCAb IgG were observed between healthy and unhealthy individuals. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that zonulin was substantially associated with metabolic health parameters such as BMI, blood glucose, triglyceride, GGT, and C-reactive protein levels. C-reactive protein, an inflammation marker, showed the most pronounced association with zonulin.ConclusionsBiomarkers that link a leaky gut and subsequent bacterial translocation to metabolic health were identified in this study. Especially zonulin may aid in monitoring a leaky gut and detecting individuals at risk for developing chronic metabolic diseases.
Highlights
An impairment in intestinal integrity (i.e., “leaky gut” or increased intestinal permeability) is currently hypothesized to result in the translocation of potentially harmful compounds, compromised metabolic detoxification, and induction of pro-inflammatory signals throughout the body, potentially leading to chronic disease development
Plasma fasting glucose, plasma gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, two groups of 40 subjects with the most extreme metabolic health profiles were selected from the Nutrition Questionnaires plus (NQplus) cohort study (n = 2048), which was previously conducted by the Wageningen University’s Division of Human Nutrition
From the leaky gut markers, levels of zonulin, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, soluble CD14, bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein, and peptidoglycan were significantly higher in individuals with unhealthy metabolic profiles (p
Summary
An impairment in intestinal integrity (i.e., “leaky gut” or increased intestinal permeability) is currently hypothesized to result in the translocation of potentially harmful compounds (bacteria, toxins, such as lipopolysaccharides [LPS], and waste), compromised metabolic detoxification, and induction of pro-inflammatory signals throughout the body, potentially leading to chronic disease development. A previous study has recently reported the association of increased intestinal permeability with visceral adiposity and liver fat accumulation [1], both of which are closely related to other metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance and elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. This suggests that a “leaky gut” may play a direct or indirect role in developing metabolic disorders related to metabolic syndrome [2]. Several biomarkers have been recognized to indicate intestinal permeability (i.e., leaky gut) and bacterial translocation Which of these biomarkers exhibit the highest correlation with metabolic health parameters remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the correlation between leaky gut-related markers and metabolic health
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