In people with inflammatory bowel disease, the level of intestinal permeability measured by a specific urine test is similar whether their disease is active or in remission, suggesting that the...
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
Even when people with IBD feel better, the cells in their gut lining don’t fully reconnect properly, so small molecules keep leaking through. This leakiness doesn’t go away just because the inflammation has calmed down, which is why tests still show the gut is leaky even in remission.
Most probable mechanism
Even when gut inflammation calms down, the cells lining the intestine stay loosely connected, letting substances leak through that shouldn't, and this doesn't fix itself just because symptoms disappear.
Epithelial tight junction proteins remain abnormally expressed or mislocalized, reducing the integrity of the paracellular barrier between intestinal cells.
This structural defect allows passive diffusion of small molecules like mannitol and lactulose across the intestinal lining into the bloodstream.
The filtered molecules are excreted in urine at rates that reflect the degree of barrier permeability, which remains elevated regardless of clinical symptom status.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Community contributions welcome
Intestinal Permeability In Vivo in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Comparison of Active Disease and Remission.
Contradicting (0)
Community contributions welcome
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