Fecal zonulin is elevated in Crohn's disase and in cigarette smokers

Abstract

Fecal and serum zonulin levels are elevated in patients with active Crohn's disease but not with ulcerative colitis. High fecal zonulin levels in smokers irrespective of IBD point to the significant and undesirable up-regulation of gut permeability in cigarette smokers.

Keywords

• Zonulin
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Smoking