Gut barrier function and permeability
The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier.
Leaky gut syndrome is a condition where the intestinal lining becomes permeable, allowign bacteria, toxins and undigested food particles to leak into the bloodstream. This increased permeability can trigger inflammation and is associated with various health issues, including autoimmune diseases and chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
Gut barrier function and permeability
The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier.
Leaky gut syndrome is a condition where the intestinal lining becomes permeable, allowign bacteria, toxins and undigested food particles to leak into the bloodstream. This increased permeability can trigger inflammation and is associated with various health issues, including autoimmune diseases and chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
Innovative approaches in gut barrier research: Cell culture systems and biomarker analysis
At CBmed, we are working with cell culture systems which are essential tools in leaky gut research. They allow us to model the intestinal barrier and study its function under controlled conditions. Thereby we can study the effects of different substances on the gut barrier and provide valuable insights into underlying mechanisms of gut barrier dysfunctions.
Transepithelial electrical resistance is an established marker to assess the strength of the cell-cell connections in in-vitro monolayer studies. It allows us to monitor the development of our cell monolayers and detect the effects of pathogens, probiotics or different substances. Also the effects of microplastic particles can me assessed within this model. Find out more about our microplastic research here.
To unravel the underlying mechanisms of different effects on the gut barrier, we apply a variety of readouts from protein expression, over tortuosity and cytokine production, to visualization of tight functions.
The study of gut permeability in the clinical setting is an ongoing topic of discussion. Current state of the art consideres a broad panel of different biomarkers to be the most reliable way to estimate the gut barrier function. We have ample experience with several permeability markers in stool, urine and plasma used in medical research. We also have a large biobank of samples to test novel biomarkers. Find out more in our publication hub.
