Intestinal permeability in patients with atopic eczema

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Abstract
Intestinal permeability was investigated in adult patients with atopic eczema by in vivo and in vitro techniques. Patients with symptoms of immediate food allergy were specifically excluded. A 51Cr-labeled EDTA absorption test was carried out in 18 patients. Their mean (.+-. SD) 24-h urine excretion following oral administration of the test substance (2.1 .+-. 0.0%) did not differ significantly from that of 34 normal controls (1.9 .+-. 0.5%). Small bowel permeability was estimated directly in jejunal mucosal samples in 10 patients with three permeability probes of differing MW. Mucosal permeability did not differ significantly from that of 15 control patients for any of the test substances. Two patients had abnormal results by both tests and in 1 this was due to celiac disease. These results suggest that altered intestinal permeability is not important in the pathogenesis of eczema. Patients demonstrating increased intestinal permeability should undergo jejunal biopsy to exclude significant small bowel disease.