[The number of intraepithelial lymphocytes in digestive tract in patients with IgG-dependent intolerance of cereal products].

UNLABELLED: Abnormal reaction of food antigens cause a variety disorders of gastrointestinal tract. It is not clear why exactly the same products provoke diarrhea or constipation.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) in different parts of gastrointestinal tract in patients with specific IgG antibodies against wheat and secale products.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The study was performed in 36 healthy subjects(group I) and in 70 patients with diarrhea predominant (group II, n=38) or with constipation (group III, n=32). The level of specific IgG antibodies in blood were determined using Food Detective tests (Cambridge Diagnostics). The biopsy material obtained from duodenum, jejunum as well as from right and left colon was used for routine hematoxylin-eosin staining.

RESULTS

In group II compared to control group the number of IEL was statistical higher in all part of gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, in 9 patients (23.6%) in duodenum exceed 30/100 enterocytes, and in colon mucosa exceed 25/100 (21.0%) enterocytes. In patients with constipation (group III) the number of IEL was similar to healthy subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Food intolerance of cereal products may cause immuneinflammatory changes in digestive tract comparable to celiakia and lymphocytic colitis.