Recognizing the leaky gut as a trans-diagnostic target for neuro-immune disorders using clinical chemistry and molecular immunology assays.

BACKGROUND

Increased intestinal permeability with heightened translocation of Gram-negative bacteria, also known as "leaky gut", is associated with the pathophysiology of neuroimmune disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD), chronic fatigue syndrome (CSF) and (deficit) schizophrenia, as well as with general medical disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome. This review aims to summarize clinical biochemistry and molecular immunology tests that may aid in the recognition of leaky gut in clinical practice.

METHODS

We searched online libraries, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar and Scopus, with the key words "diagnosis" or "biomarkers" and "leaky gut", "bacterial translocation", and "intestinal permeability" and focused on papers describing tests that may aid in the clinical recognition of leaky gut.

RESULTS

To evaluate tight junction barrier integrity, serum IgG/IgA/IgM responses to occludin and zonulin and IgA responses to actomyosin should be evaluated. The presence of cytotoxic bacterial products in serum can be evaluated using IgA/IgM responses to sonicated samples of common Gram-negative gut commensal bacteria and assays of serum lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) and other bacterial toxins, including cytolethal distenting toxin, subunit B. Major factors associated with increased gut permeability, including gut dysbiosis and yeast overgrowth, use of NSAIDs and alcohol, food hypersensitivities (IgE-mediated), food intolerances (IgG-mediated), small bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), systemic inflammation, psychosocial stressors, some infections (e.g., HIV) and dietary patterns, should be assessed. Stool samples can be used to assay gut dysbiosis, gut inflammation and decreased mucosal defenses using assays of fecal growth of bacteria, yeast and fungi and stool assays of calprotectin, secretory IgA, β-defensin, α-antitrypsin, lysozyme and lactoferrin. Blood and breath tests should be used to exclude common causes of increased gut permeability, namely, food hypersensitivities and intolerances, SIBO, lactose intolerance and fructose malabsorption.

CONCLUSIONS

Here, we propose strategies to recognize "leaky gut" in a clinical setting using the most adequate clinical chemistry and molecular immunology assays.