Characterization of oral and intestinal microbiota from celiac patients and correlation with inflammatory cytokines

Abstract

Intestinal dysbiosis, with decreased microbiota function and diversity, compromised epithelial barrier, bacterial translocation, inflammation, and decrease regulatory T cells in the gut mucosa have been associated with autoimmune disease development, such as celiac disease (CD). The aim of this study will be evaluate the oral and intestinal dysbiosis in CD patients and correlate these data with serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines. Twenty patients with CD and 20 control subjects will be included. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee from Barretos Educational Foundation, and all participants will sign the informed consent and respond a questionnaire about lifestyle. Clinical data such as clinical form of the disease (classical, atypical and asymptomatic), lesion stage (0-IV), extraintestinal manisfestations, serologic markers such as anti-transglutaminase (tTG) antibodies, antigliadin, antiendomysium, and IgA dosing will be recorded. The bacterial DNA will be extracted from the saliva and faeces by using commercial kits and the microbiota characterization will be performed by real-time PCR. Peripheral blood samples will be used for quantification of serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines. Statistical analysis will be performed by Mann-Whitney test and the correlations by Spearman test. We expect to find differences in microbiota composition in patients when compared with controls, and possible correlations with inflammatory cytokines. Further studies on oral and intestinal dysbiosis in autoimmune diseases are necessary, and possibly in the future, immunomodulatory probiotics and fecal transplantation may assist in the treatment of CD.