People with gluten intolerance produce specific antibodies, which clearly differentiate their profile from those who suffer from celiac disease.
- Unlike celiac disease, the causes of gluten intolerance are still poorly understood.
- People intolerant to gluten produce specific antibodies.
New antibody profile helps distinguish gluten intolerance from celiac disease, according to new research published in the journal Gastroenterology.
Gluten can affect people to different degrees. When the damage is significant, we speak of the “celiac disease” ; when the damage is less but embarrassing, we talk “gluten intolerance” Where “non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS)”.
Diagnosis is often very complicated
Unlike celiac disease, the causes of gluten intolerance are still poorly understood, and making this diagnosis is often very complicated. To address these issues, a new study shows that people with gluten sensitivity and those with celiac disease both produce high levels of anti-gluten antibodies. In contrast, the two conditions differ in the types of antibodies produced and the inflammatory responses these antibodies can elicit.
“We found that cells from celiac disease patients produced an antibody profile with a strong inflammatory potential, linked to autoimmune activity and intestinal cell damage,” explains study director Mr. Alaedini. “In contrast, patients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity produced antibodies that are associated with a more limited inflammatory response,” he adds.
Specific immune cells
To reach these conclusions, Alaedini and his team analyzed blood samples from 40 patients with celiac disease, 80 people with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), and 40 healthy controls. All participants had followed an unrestricted diet, therefore containing gluten.
“If we could coax immune cells specific to celiac disease patients into less inflammatory states, we might be able to prevent or reduce the severity of the immunological reaction to gluten,” concludes Mr. Alaedini.
Celiac disease is one of the most widespread intolerances in the world. Mass screening figures show that it affects up to 1% of the population of Western countries. The prevalence of non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is estimated at 6%.
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