Environmental Enteric Dysfunction is Associated with Carnitine Deficiency and Altered Fatty Acid Oxidation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), a condition characterized by small intestine inflammation and abnormal gut permeability, is widespread in children in developing countries and a major cause of growth failure. The pathophysiology of EED remains poorly understood.

Methods

We measured serum metabolites using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in 400 children, aged 12-59months, from rural Malawi. Gut permeability was assessed by the dual-sugar absorption test.

Findings

80.7% of children had EED. Of 677 serum metabolites measured, 21 were negatively associated and 56 were positively associated with gut permeability, using a false discovery rate approach (q<0.05, p<0.0095). Increased gut permeability was associated with elevated acylcarnitines

SUBMITTER: Semba RD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5360565 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature