The gut microbiota is associated with the small intestinal paracellular permeability and the development of the immune system in healthy children during the first two years of life.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The intestinal barrier plays an important role in the defense against infections, and nutritional, endocrine, and immune functions. The gut microbiota playing an important role in development of the gastrointestinal tract can impact intestinal permeability and immunity during early life, but data concerning this problem are scarce.

Methods

We analyzed the microbiota in fecal samples (101 samples in total) collected longitudinally over 24 months from 21 newborns to investigate whether the markers of small intestinal paracellular permeability (zonulin) and immune system development (calprotectin) are linked to the gut microbiota. The results were validated using data from an independent cohort that included the calprotectin and gut microbiota in children during the

SUBMITTER: Kaczmarczyk M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8082808 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature