Assessment of Serum Zonulin in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and its Correlation with Stool Frequency

Abstract Background Studies have shown increased intestinal permeability in irritable bowel syndrome. Validating serum biomarkers for altered intestinal permeability in irritable bowel syndrome will facilitate research and pathophysiology-based therapy. Aim and Objectives To compare serum zonulin level between diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Subjects and Methods This was a Case control study, was carried out in Gastroenterology department, Ain Shams University Hospital, and military hospitals on 60 subjects classified into three groups: (First group): included 20 patients complaining of IBS-Diarrheal type, (Second group): included 20 patients complaining of IBS-constipation type, Third group (Healthy group): included 20 healthy persons, during a period of 6 months. Result There was high statistically significant difference between the two cases groups as regard frequency of stool. Conclusion We could not detect altered zonulin levels between individuals reporting IBS-D and IBS-C. On the other hand, higher zonulin levels are founded compared to healthy controls. These data suggest that zonulin might have utility as a simple serological biomarker for altered IP in patients with IBS. However, more research is needed to corroborate our findings of the role of zonulin in IBS. Identifying IBS patients with zonulin-mediated intestinal tight junction dysfunction may allow mechanistically focused IBS therapy (e.g., larazotide acetate).