| Over the past 20 years, autoimmune disease | | | | syndrome" which is associated with the autoimmune |
| research has discovered a related set of factors | | | | antibody reaction and the disorders which develop. |
| which link all autoimmune diseases. | | | | Alessio Fasano, M.D. directs the Mucosal Biology |
| One of these factors is intestinal permeability. In a | | | | Research Center and the Center for Celiac Research |
| normal human gut, the cells lining the intestinal wall act | | | | at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. |
| as a barrier that allows only properly digested fats, | | | | Much of his research focuses on the relationship |
| proteins, and starches to pass through and enter the | | | | between intestinal permeability and autoimmune |
| bloodstream. There are several methods of nutrient | | | | diseases. |
| transport. The first two, diffusion, and a mechanism | | | | He and his research team have discovered a |
| called active transport move vitamins, minerals and | | | | molecule, which they named zonulin. Zonulin is |
| normal nutritive molecules through the cells on the | | | | involved in the regulation of intestinal cell wall |
| wall of the intestine. | | | | permeability. Dr. Fasano's research has linked zonulin |
| However, substances can also pass beyond the | | | | to the pathogenesis of a series of autoimmune |
| intestinal wall through the spaces between the | | | | diseases, including type 1-diabetes, celiac disease, and |
| intestinal cells. Normally, these spaces are sealed | | | | multiple sclerosis. Dr. Fasano writes: |
| tightly, but when the intestinal lining is irritated by | | | | "Discovery of zonulin prompted us to search the |
| some external trigger, the junctions between the | | | | medical literature for human disorders characterized |
| cells loosen and begin to "leak" larger foreign proteins | | | | by increased intestinal permeability...much to my |
| from the intestines into the blood. The immune | | | | surprise.. many autoimmune diseases - among them, |
| system reacts by creating aggressive antibody cells | | | | celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, |
| to attack these foreign invaders. | | | | rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel diseases |
| In addition, the leaked molecules may act as "mimics" | | | | - all have as a common denominator aberrant |
| of normal body proteins. In a process called | | | | intestinal permeability". |
| "molecular mimicry", parts of these foreign proteins | | | | In other words, all of these autoimmune diseases |
| may look chemically similar to self-proteins found in | | | | start or are worsened by a leaky gut. Increasing the |
| other areas of the body. When activated to attack | | | | levels of zonulin increases the permeability of the |
| the foreign proteins, the antibodies mistake the similar | | | | intestinal wall. |
| self-proteins as foreign, and attack them as well. | | | | Other factors include a genetic predisposition toward |
| As the intestinal wall is compromised by the external | | | | the disease which develops, but the autoimmune |
| trigger and becomes increasingly irritated, it becomes | | | | response seems to be triggered by gut permeability |
| more permeable or "leaky" and a condition known as | | | | and the leakage of foreign proteins which mimic self |
| "leaky gut syndrome" develops. It is this "leaky gut | | | | proteins into the blood stream. |