Study of Leaky Gut syndrome and its Correlation to Hashimoto’s Thyroid Disease with Respect to Antibodies Titre

Abstract Background Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the most common autoimmune disease worldwide, characterized by chronic inflammation and circulating auto antibodies against thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin. Alterations in the gut microbiota are associated with autoimmune diseases development. There is increasing evidence that gut microbiota is an important environmental factor directly or indirectly influencing the progression of thyroid diseases and that thyroid diseases can exacerbate disturbances in the microbiota Objective To evaluate serum zonulin levels and stool lactobacillus acidophilus growth as markers of leaky gut syndrome in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Methods This was a case control study that was conducted on 80 Egyptian subjects age (20 – 60 years old) & were divided into 60 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 20 control, the patient group was further divided into 3 equal groups according to the thyroid functions state (Euthyroid, sub clinical hypothyroid and overt hypothyroidism), evaluation of serum zonulin and stool lactobacillus acidophilus growth and correlation with TPO antibody titer was done. Results Our study showed statistically significant increase in serum zonulin level which was positively correlated to TPO level in Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients implicating a possible presence of leaky gut syndrome, this was present in the hypothyroid group significantly than the Euthyroid Hashimoto's group, as it was also associated with lactobacillus acidophilus stool culture positivity which may reflect a bacterial dysbiosis. Conclusion This data may reflect the interaction between the gut microbiota and possible leaky gut syndrome association with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. However, whether this data is a result from Hashimoto's disease or a cause, this need a further evaluation.