Intestinal Mucosa (Permeability Marker)

The intestinal mucosa is the innermost layer of the gastrointestinal tract, functioning as a selective barrier that regulates the passage of substances between the gut lumen and the internal environment. Intestinal permeability, a functional property of this lining, is often assessed using specific marker molecules. Increased permeability, or "leaky gut", is associated with various diseases including IBD, celiac disease, metabolic disorders, and food allergies. It's measured by tracking the passage of orally administered inert marker molecules across the gut wall, and surrogate biomarkers like fecal zonulin and plasma LBP. Factors influencing integrity include cytokines and nutrients.

Other names

Intestinal permeabilityGut barrier functionLeaky gut