Evaluation of intestinal permeability with serum zonulin and lipopolysaccharide levels in patients with Behçet's disease

EVALUATION OF INTESTINAL PERMEABILITY WITH SERUM ZONULIN AND LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH BEHÇET'S DISEASE Aim: Behçet's syndrome is a systemic disorder characterized by recurrent oral aphthae, genital ulcers, and multiple systemic symptoms. In Behçet's syndrome, the underlying cause remains unclear. Studies have shown that increased intestinal permeability is associated with certain autoimmune diseases, leading us to consider its potential role in the pathogenesis of Behçet's syndrome. This study aims to assess the relationship between intestinal permeability and the clinical course of Behçet's disease. Material and Methods: Our study included 30 active, 32 remission Behçet's syndrome patients, followed at the Rheumatology clinic of Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, and 26 healthy controls. All samples were analyzed by ELISA. Results: In active Behçet's syndrome group, serum zonulin levels were found significantly higher compared to the other groups. Serum lipopolysaccharide levels were higher in active patients group compared to remission group. In all groups, serum zonulin levels were significantly higher in females. Serum zonulin levels showed correlation with erythrocyte sedimentation rate across all groups. When all Behçet's patients were considered, serum zonulin levels showed correlation with disease duration. A significant correlation was found between serum zonulin levels and age in the overall Behçet's syndrome group and the remission group. A negative correlation was observed between serum lipopolysaccharide levels and age in remission group. Conclusion: Serum zonulin and lipopolysaccharide levels, were found to be associated with disease activity, suggesting that the impairment in intestinal permeability may be associated disease activity, and may potentially play role in the pathogenesis of Behçet's syndrome. Keywords: Behçet's syndrome, Behçet's disease, zonulin, lipopolysaccharide, intestinal permeability