The aims of our study were i) to compare duodenal hydrophobicity as an index of mucus barrier integrity in CD patients studied before (n = 38) and during gluten- free diet (GFD, n = 68), and in control subjects (n = 90), and ii) to check for regional differences of hydrophobicity in the gastro-intestinal tract.
Reduction of abdominal pain is also important for the whole management of diarrhea, in which, the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs as NSAIDs can alter the integrity of mucus layer [ 1, 2, 4, 5].
Kupffer cells in the liver constitute the largest compartment of macrophages in the body, presumably there in order to deal with translocation, and there are physico-chemical barriers to penetration and translocation which include gastric acid, the mucus layer, and the integrity of the epithelial layer [ 20, 21].
These cells contribute in a major fashion to gastrointestinal innate immune functions such as the production of antimicrobial peptides and mucus and maintenance of epithelial integrity.
The integrity of this mucus gel, together with all the layers of the tear film, is responsible for the maintenance of normal vision and ocular comfort.
One way of assessing the functional integrity of the mucus layer is by measuring its hydrophobicity, a surface bio-physical property that affects adhesion of macromolecules, bacteria and toxins to the intestinal epithelia [ 9, 10].
Tissues were evaluated for integrity, friability, bleeding, mucus, and thickness of biopsy (presence of sub-mucosa or not) under a dissecting microscope by two different technicians in blinded way (Table 1).
In the present study we assessed surface hydrophobicity of gastrointestinal mucosa as an index of the functional integrity of the mucus layer, a layer that acts as a "closing seal"[ 22] of the intestinal barrier.
In the large airways, this barrier is augmented by a layer of mucus, which is essential for airway integrity and pulmonary defense.
30 Experimental vitamin A deficiency leads to a loss in integrity of normally ciliated, mucus secreting epithelium in the middle ear, a degradative process characterised by keratinising metaplasia, oedema, and inflammation.
