Applied Chemical Engineering

Assessment of Zonulin in patients with Celiac Diseas

Huda Najah Abd

Department of Department of Biology, Faculty of Science University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq

Adhraa Baqir Hassan

Professor in Department of Department of Biology, Faculty of Science University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq

Ahmed abdalhadi

Professor in Faculty of Medicine University of Jabir ibn Hayyan, Najaf, Iraq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/ace.v9i3.6074

Keywords: Celiac disease, Zonulin, Gluten

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Abstract

Background: Celiac disease (CD), also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is a chronic autoimmune disorder caused by gluten consumption. It causes nutritional malabsorption due to small intestinal villi inflammation and atrophy. The immune-mediated response mostly engages both innate and adaptive immune systems, resulting in a systemic disease that may impact several organs outside the gastrointestinal tract. Zonulin is a key physiological regulator of intercellular tight junctions in the gastrointestinal epithelium and plays an important role in intestinal permeability. It has attracted considerable interest because of its involvement in autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease (CeD), where dysregulation of the zonulin pathway may contribute to disease pathogenesis.
Materials and methods: The research included 60 randomly chosen Celiac disease (CeD) patients (22 men and 38 women). Between April and September 2025, it was done. Patients and controls are 1-18 years old.
The consultant doctors diagnosed Celiac Disease. The name, gender, age, weight, height and place of living. the patients have been obtained through a questionnaire. Participants with other diseases were excluded from the current investigation.
A healthy control group consisting of 30 apparently control participants (13 males and 17 females) was included. Their ages were comparable to those of the patients.
Results: A substantial increase (P≤ 0.05) in Zonulin levels was observed in celiac disease patients compared to control groups and at different age groups. There is a substantial negative connection (P≤ 0.05) between Zonulin levels (ng/ml) and BMI in Celiac disease patients. A substantial increase (P≤ 0.05) in Zonulin levels was observed in Celiac disease patients by gender. Results indicate a substantial rise (P≤ 0.05) in Zonulin levels in Celiac disease patients based on location, with a significant drop (P≤ 0.05) in rural groups compared to urban groups.
Conclusion: The results showed that zonulin levels were significantly higher in female patients with celiac disease than in male patients. Overall, zonulin levels were significantly higher in patients with celiac disease than in healthy controls. These findings suggest that elevated serum zonulin levels may be associated with celiac disease and may reflect alterations in intestinal barrier permeability.

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