Naranamangalam R.
Jagannathan1, Uma R. Sharma1, Sujeet R. Mewar1,
Govind K. Makharia2
1Department
of NMR & MRI Facility, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New
Delhi, Delhi, India; 2Department of Gastroenterology & Human
Nutrition, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, India
Celiac disease is chronic autoimmune disorder caused by ingestion of dietary protein gluten present in wheat, barley and rye in genetically susceptible individuals. In vitro proton NMR spectroscopy of intestinal mucosal biopsies of patients with celiac disease showed higher concentration of leucine, aspartate, succinate and fumarate compared to controls. Accumulation of aspartate in intestinal mucosa may lead to deficiency of aspartate for urea cycle in liver and may be the reason for liver abnormalities in celiac disease patients. Accumulation of succinate suggests abnormality in Krebs cycle leading to energy deficiency and might affect processes of maintenance of mucosal integrity.