LeaBlood Group Substance Degradation in the Human Alimentary Tract and Urinary Leain Coeliac Disease

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Abstract
The Lewis (Lea) blood group substance in alimentary tract liquids is a large molecule. Ileal and jujunal mucosal preparations can act upon it to produce dialyzable serologically active Lea. Alimentary tract bacteria cannot produce a similar effect. Plasma, serum and urinary Lea are principally in the form of a dialysable moiety. This dialysable form may be produced by mucosal degradation of large-molecule Lea in the alimentary tract. The small-molecule Lea is absorbed, transported in the plasma and then excreted. Both secretor and non-secretor patients with duodenal ulcer and inflammatory bowel disease have normal urinary Lea titers. Nonsecretor celiac patients who have not regenerated normal jejunal mucosa on treatment have significantly reduced urinary Lea titers when compared with healthy individuals. Non nonsecretor celiac patient who had regenerated a normal jejunal mucosa on treatment had a normal urinary Lea titer. Celiac patients have normal titers of salivary Lea.