Celiac disease: Scientists identify possible cause of gluten intolerance

THE celiac disease is a condition that involves an immune reaction when consuming gluten a protein found in foods containing wheat, barley and/or rye, as described by the Mayo Clinic .

This is a diagnosis that It damages the lining of the small intestine and can cause painful symptoms in the intestine, prevent absorption of nutrients, and increase the risk of other problems. long-term doctors.

So far, There is no definitive cure for celiac disease. .

However, from the scientific community Multiple works have been developed to help deal with this disease .

On August 9, 2024, an interdisciplinary team of medical and engineering researchers from McMaster University from Canada presented Study results reveal possible origin of gluten intolerance .

The work, which lasted six years and also benefited from the support of specialists from the United States, Australia and Argentina, shows that “An important piece of the puzzle in the search for a cure” has been found according to an article from the aforementioned institution.

The results have been published in the scientific journal Gastroenterology .

According to the data mentioned by the authors, This autoimmune disease is estimated to affect approximately 1% of the population. .

Similarly, they specify that its rate of occurrence has approximately doubled over the past 25 years .

The diagnosis It is more common in women than in men, according to a note from the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH for its acronym in English).

The researchers explained that, Previously, it was thought that the inflammatory response to gluten was generated within the intestinal wall and exclusively involved immune cells. .

However, through their work, they discovered that The inner lining of the upper intestine, called the epithelium, also plays an active role in directing the inflammatory response. .

They detailed that The epithelium is made up of different cells that are not part of the immune system .

The McMaster University article states that “the use of microscopic biomaterials in the laboratory, The team created a biologically functional model of the intestinal epithelium that allowed researchers to isolate the effects of specific molecules on epithelial cells. people with celiac disease.

This, they specify, allowed them to “generate and observe reactions under controlled conditions.” an option that is simply not available in the extremely complex gut environments of living things.

So they saw “how the molecules alert immune cells to the presence of gluten,” which helped them “definitively conclude that the epithelium plays a crucial role in the activation of the immune system” in this disease.

Although this possibility had already been raised, The study conducted by McMaster researchers stands out because it demonstrates this as they claim.

One of the authors of the book, Elena Verdu, said that “Today, the only way to treat celiac disease is to completely eliminate gluten from the diet.” .

Nevertheless, “It’s hard to do and experts agree that a gluten-free diet is not enough.” .

Verdu and his colleagues They hope their findings will spur the development of new drugs to combat gluten intolerance.

Tohid Didar, also an author of the study, added that “This allowed us to pinpoint the specific cause and effect and demonstrate exactly if and how the reaction occurs.” .

Along with the above, the McMaster article points out that the researchers found that “After detecting gluten, the epithelium sends stronger signals to immune cells if pathogens are also present” .

The book’s lead author, Sara Rahmani, explained that this means that, In the future, it may be possible to detect the pathogen in a person at risk of developing the disease and inhibit interactions with gluten and the intestinal epithelium, thereby preventing this state.

From MedlinePlus they assure that Symptoms of celiac disease can vary considerably in patients.

In this sense, Not everyone needs to be present. for a person to be affected by this disease.

So, for example, It may happen that three patients have different symptoms, or that they share them. .

Below is the list of the above-mentioned institution on those of a gastrointestinal nature :

• Abdominal pain, bloating, gas or indigestion
• Constipation
• Decreased appetite (may also increase or remain unchanged)
• Diarrhea, whether constant or intermittent
• Lactose intolerance (common when diagnosed and usually resolves with treatment)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stools that are foul, greasy, or stick to the toilet when you empty it
• Unexplained weight loss (although people may be overweight or have a normal weight)

Additionally, because the intestines cannot absorb the nutrients they need, The following signs may appear :

• Propensity to bruise
• Depression or anxiety
• Fatigue
• hair loss
• Itchy skin (dermatitis herpetiformis)
• No rules
• Mouth ulcers
• Muscle cramps and joint pain
• Nosebleed
• Seizures
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet

Below are the signs they may exhibit: children with celiac disease :

• Tooth enamel defects and tooth color changes
• Delayed puberty
• Loss of muscle mass
• Diarrhea, constipation, foul or greasy stools, nausea or vomiting
• Irritable or fussy behavior
• Poor weight gain
• Slow growth and below normal height for age

It is good to remember that If you have any doubts about your health, it is always advisable to consult a specialist to assess your case. particular and the best ways to address it.