Performance evaluation of a smartphone-based home test for fecal calprotection.

OBJECTIVES: Fecal calprotectin (FC) serves as a non-invasive marker for the assessment of gut inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Laboratory measurements are usually performed with immunologic methods like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Recently, quantitative home tests based on the lateral flow technology with smartphones as read-out devices have been developed. We compared the quantitative and qualitative performance of the quantitative lateral flow home test Preventis SmarTest® Calprotectin Home and the immunological test used in our laboratory (Eurospital Calprest® Turbo). METHODS: Fourty-five routine samples were analyzed in parallel with both tests according to the manufacturer's instructions. The read-out of the home test was performed with two smartphones (Apple iPhone 14 Pro and Samsung Galaxy XCover 5). The qualitative interpretation (positive, negative, borderline) was conducted using the cut-offs provided by the manufacturers. RESULTS: Statistically significant correlations with the laboratory standard method were observed for both smartphones (Spearman's rho 0.703 and 0.715, all p<0.005). The home test showed systematically higher concentrations compared to the routine assay. We found minimal qualitative agreement between the two tests (Cohen's kappas (κ)=0.323 and 0.300; p=0.003 and 0.005) showing a lower rate of positives with the home test. Both used smartphones showed good quantitative and qualitative agreement. CONCLUSIONS: The tests are quantitatively not interchangeable. However, the home test may be applicable for the serial follow-up management of patients with IBD. The higher rate of samples classified as negative with the home test may lead to an underestimation of affected patients.

One sip of water with LT-4 supplementation-a key to euthyroidism in Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

PURPOSE: Recommended pharmacotherapy for hypothyroidism in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is oral supplementation with levothyroxine (LT-4). However, serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels within normal range are not consistently achieved with LT-4 medication. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report on 35 HT patients with LT-4 therapy in this retrospective evaluation. In general, we recommend that a maximum of two sips of water, which would then amount to < 50 mL, be ingested at the same time as LT-4. We report on follow up examinations measuring TSH and antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) after 6 months to five years. RESULTS: After median time of 643 days (range 98-1825) we found in 35 HT patients a statistical significant reduction of serum TSH (p < 0.001) and TPOAb (p = 0.006). The patients median body weight was 71 kg (range 48-98) and a daily LT-4 dosage was used with median 69.1 µg (range 25-150). This results in a daily LT-4 dose of median 1.01 µg/kg bodyweight (range 0.3-2.3). CONCLUSIONS: The reduction of water ingestion to a maximum of two sips, which is <50 mL, combined with LT-4 supplementation helps to achieve euthyroidism in HT. In addition, it reduces the L-T4 medication dosage needed to lower TSH serum levels and decreases TPO antibodies in HT.

The possible role of quinolinic acid as a predictive marker in patients with SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Quinolinic acid (QA) is a metabolite of the kynurenine pathway, which is activated by inflammatory stimuli during viral infection. We investigated the role of QA in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, particularly its prognostic value for survival. METHODS: Overall, 104 unvaccinated inpatients were included, divided into a survival (N = 80) and a deceased group (N = 24). Plasma levels of tryptophan, kynurenine, QA, C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) were measured on admission and after seven days. The QA/TRP ratio and the relative differences between the measurements for QA (QA-Diff) and QA/TRP (Diff-QA/TRP) were calculated. RESULTS: Among the kynurenine pathway markers, QA-Diff showed the highest discriminatory power for the survival prognosis (Youden index 0.467, cut-off -1.3 %, AUC 0.733, p < 0.001, sensitivity 0.79, specificity 0.675). Among the inflammatory markers, CRP showed the highest discriminatory power (Youden index 0.533, cut-off 25.0 mg/L, AUC 0.794, p < 0.001, sensitivity 0.958, specificity 0.575). A significant correlation between QA and PCT was found on admission and after one week (Spearman's rho 0.455 and 0.539, all p-values < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: QA may serve as prognostic marker for survival in patients with SARS-CoV-2. The repeated measurements during the first week of the disease may enhance the prognostic power.

A personalized management approach in disorders of the irritable bowel syndrome spectrum.

Symptoms of the disorders across the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) spectrum include several different, usually postprandial, abdominal complaints. Up to date, dietary treatments of the IBS have neither been personalized nor diagnosed with sufficient scientific evidence. They have mostly been treated using 'one-size-fits-all' approaches. Such include exclusion diets, a low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols diet, and gluten-free diets, lactose-free diets, a diet recommended by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and a wheat-free diet. The exact pathophysiology of IBS disorders across the spectrum is still unclear. However, the symptom profile of IBS spectrum disorders seems similar to that of food intolerance/malabsorption syndromes. Celiac disease, fructose malabsorption, histamine intolerance and lactose intolerance represent food intolerance/malabsorption disorders based on the indigestion of sugars and/or proteins. Helicobacter pylori infection may potentially promote the development of IBS and, when facing a case of IBS-like symptoms, a search for intolerance/malabsorption and H. pylori should be added to find the correct treatment for the respective patient. This review will discuss why the 'one-size-fits-all' dietary approach in the treatment of complaints across the IBS spectrum cannot be successful. Hence, it will provide an overview of the most common overall dietary approaches currently used, and why those should be discouraged. Alternatively, a noninvasive diagnostic workup of the pathophysiologic factors of food intolerance/malabsorption in each patient with symptoms of the IBS spectrum is suggested. Additionally, if H. pylori is found, eradication therapy is mandatory, and if food intolerance/malabsorption is detected, an individual and personalized dietary intervention by a registered dietician is recommended.

Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders in Children May Be Associated with Food Intolerance/Malabsorption.

Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) are among the most common types of chronic pain disorders in children. FAPD symptoms are characterized by chronic abdominal pain and changed bowel movements. The pathophysiology of FAPDs in children is unknown, but these conditions may have an imprecise clinical overlap to food intolerance/malabsorption. We report on 51 consecutive children (23/28 males/females; median age 15.3 years) with investigated FAPDs from 2017 to 2022 in this retrospective pilot study. Small intestinal biopsies in children demonstrated the association of lactase and diamine oxidase (DAO), which prompted us to perform hydrogen (H2) breath tests for lactose intolerance (LIT) and determine serum DAO for the evaluation of histamine intolerance (HIT) in pediatric patients with FAPDs. To complete the food intolerance/malabsorption evaluation tests, we included a search for antibodies against tissue transglutaminase to find celiac disease (CD), performed H2 breath tests to detect fructose malabsorption (FM), and conducted a search for IgA antibodies against H. pylori infection. The results demonstrate that all 51 children evaluated were diagnosed with food intolerance/malabsorption and/or various combinations thereof. Seven children showed FM, eight of the children had HIT, and eight children had LIT. The other children had combinations: thirteen children (25.5%) had HIT and LIT, seven children (9.8%) had FM with HIT, five children (13.7%) had FM and LIT, and three children (5.9%) had a triple combination of FM, HIT, and LIT. By describing this method of personalized investigation for food intolerance/malabsorption in children with FAPDs, we demonstrate that functional abdominal pain disorders may be associated with food intolerance/malabsorption. After such diagnosis in this pediatric population, a registered dietitian helped to establish a reduction and/or exclusion diet individually tailored to their symptomatology.

The Use of Next-Generation Sequencing in Pharmacogenomics.

BACKGROUND: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods have become more commonly performed in clinical and research laboratories. METHODS: This review summarizes the current laboratory NGS-based diagnostic approaches in pharmacogenomics including targeted multi-gene panel sequencing, whole-exome sequencing (WES), and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). RESULTS: Clinical laboratories perform multiple non-uniform types of pharmacogenetic panels, which can reduce the overall number of single-gene tests to be more cost-efficient. Compared to the targeted multi-gene panels, which are not typically designed to detect novel variants, WES and WGS have a greater potential to identify secondary pharmacogenomic findings, which might be predictive for the pharmacotherapy outcome of different patient settings. WGS overcomes the limitations of WES enabling a more accurate exome-sequencing at appropriate coverage and the sequencing of non-coding regions. Different NGS-based study designs with different test strategies and study populations, varying sample sizes, and distinct analytical and interpretation procedures lead to different identification results of pharmacogenomic variants. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid progress in gene sequencing technologies will overcome the clinical and laboratory challenges of WES and WGS. Further high throughput NGS-based pharmacogenomics studies in different populations and patient settings are necessary to expand knowledge about rare functional variants and to enhance translation in clinical practice.

Fecal Calprotectin Elevations Associated with Food Intolerance/Malabsorption Are Significantly Reduced with Targeted Diets.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves two clinically defined entities, namely Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Fecal calprotectin (FCAL) is used as a marker to distinguish between organic IBD and functional bowel disease in disorders of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) spectrum. Food components may affect digestion and cause functional abdominal disorders of the IBS spectrum. In this retrospective study, we report on FCAL testing to search for IBD in 228 patients with disorders of the IBS spectrum caused by food intolerances/malabsorption. Included were patients with fructose malabsorption (FM), histamine intolerance (HIT), lactose intolerance (LIT), and H. pylori infection. We found elevated FCAL values in 39 (17.1%) of 228 IBS patients with food intolerance/malabsorption and H. pylori infection. Within these, fourteen patients were lactose intolerant, three showed fructose malabsorption, and six had histamine intolerance. The others had combinations of the above conditions: five patients had LIT and HIT, two patients had LIT and FM, and four had LIT and H. pylori. In addition, there were individual patients with other double or triple combinations. In addition to LIT, IBD was suspected in two patients due to continuously elevated FCAL, and then found via histologic evaluation of biopsies taken during colonoscopy. One patient with elevated FCAL had sprue-like enteropathy caused by the angiotensin receptor-1 antagonist candesartan. When screening for study subjects concluded, 16 (41%) of 39 patients with initially elevated FCAL agreed to voluntarily control FCAL measurements, although symptom-free and -reduced, following the diagnosis of intolerance/malabsorption and/or H. pylori infection. After the initiation of a diet individualized to the symptomatology and eradication therapy (when H. pylori was detected), FCAL values were significantly lowered or reduced to be within the normal range.

Alteration of the kynurenine pathway is inversely associated with the humoral immune response in patients with SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: The scale and the course of antibody production in patients with SARS-CoV-2 is highly variable. Factors involved in the immune regulation during the infection may play a major role in the antibody response. We investigated the relationship between the inflammatory markers of the kynurenine pathway and the concentration of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in infected patients 8 - 11 days after admission. METHODS: The study included 72 SARS-CoV-2 - positive inpatients hospitalized between August 2020 and April 2021. The plasma concentrations of tryptophan, kynurenine, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and the leucocyte count were measured 8 - 11 days after admission. The kynurenine/tryptophan ratio (KYN/TRP ratio) was calculated. Tertiles based on the values for tryptophan, kynurenine, KYN/TRP ratio and the leucocytes were generated. RESULTS: Statistically significant correlations were observed between anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and tryptophan, kynurenine, KYN/TRP ratio and the leucocytes (p-values < 0.001-0.007). The high kynurenine and KYN/TRP ratio tertiles showed significantly lower antibody titers compared to the low tertiles (p-values 0.017 and < 0.001). The low tryptophan and leucocytes tertiles showed significantly lower antibody titers compared to the high tertiles (p-values 0.001 and 0.008). CONCLUSION: Patients with higher activation levels of the kynurenine pathway tended to develop lower anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers.

Serum Diamine Oxidase Values, Indicating Histamine Intolerance, Influence Lactose Tolerance Breath Test Results.

Lactose intolerance (LIT) is one of the major causes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) spectrum complaints. Differences in inadequate lactose digestion are described as various LIT phenotypes with basically unknown pathophysiology. In LIT patients, we retrospectively assessed the effect of histamine intolerance (HIT) on expiratory hydrogen (H2) during H2 lactose breath tests. In a retrospective evaluation of charts from 402 LIT patients, 200 patients were identified as having only LIT. The other 202 LIT patients were found to additionally have diamine oxidase (DAO) values of <10 U/mL, which indicates histamine intolerance (HIT). To identify HIT, standardized questionnaires, low serum DAO values and responses to a histamine-reduced diet were used. Patients were separated into three diagnostic groups according to the result of H2 breath tests: (1) LIT, with an H2 increase of >20 parts per million (ppm), but a blood glucose (BG) increase of >20 mg/dL, (2) LIT with an H2 increase of 20 ppm in combination with a BG increase of <20 mg/dL, and (3) LIT with an exhaled H2 increase of <20 ppm and BG increase of <20 mg/dL. Pairwise comparison with the Kruskal Wallis test was used to compare the areas under the curve (AUC) of LIT and LIT with HIT patients. Exhaled H2 values were significantly higher in H2 > 20 ppm and BG < 20 mg/dL patients with LIT and HIT (p = 0.007). This diagnostic group also showed a significant higher number of patients (p = 0.012) and a significant higher number of patients with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms during H2 breath tests (p < 0.001). Therefore, low serum DAO values, indicating HIT, influence results of lactose tolerance breath tests.

Helicobacter pylori infection and lactose intolerance increase expiratory hydrogen.

Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) may cause dyspepsia and/or unexplained functional nonspecific, gastrointestinal complaints of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) spectrum. Hitherto, in H. pylori infected patients with symptoms of the IBS spectrum the occurrence of additional food intolerance/malabsorption is not evaluated. We used a retrospective analysis of charts from 548 patients who presented with gastrointestinal complaints of the irritable bowel syndrome spectrum. An enzyme-linked IgA immunosorbent assay or histologic evaluation of gastric mucosa were used to detect H. pylori infection. A hydrogen breath (H2) test was performed to evaluate fructose malabsorption (FM) and lactose intolerance (LIT). Serum diamine oxidase value of <10 U/ml and a response to a histamine-reduced diet was used to identify histamine intolerance (HIT). We found 293 patients infected with H. pylori, within these were 58 H. pylori patients with LIT, 23 H. pylori LIT patients with FM and 46 H. pylori LIT patients with HIT. Additionally, 13 H. pylori, lactose- and histamine intolerance patients also had FM. The Kruskal Wallis test and pairwise comparison were used to analyze differences of the area under the curve of expiratory hydrogen. In lactose H2 breath tests compared with LIT-only patients, LIT with H. pylori, LIT and H. pylori with HIT, LIT and H. pylori with FM showed significantly higher exhaled H2 levels (p=0.022). Pairwise comparison demonstrated H. pylori infected patients with LIT exhaled more H2 compared to LIT-only (p=0.029). H. pylori with lactose- and histamine intolerance, and H. pylori with lactose-, histamine intolerance and FM compared to H. pylori-only patients indicated a significantly higher occurrence of stomach pain during lactose H2 breath tests (p=0.012 and p=0.005, respectively). We demonstrate that LIT patients with high expiratory H2 levels in lactose breath tests may have H. pylori infection and possibly additional food intolerance/malabsorption. Subsequently, besides H. pylori eradication, a dietician is necessary for an individually tailored reduction- or exclusion diet of symptom triggering food components.

Assessment of tryptophan and kynurenine as prognostic markers in patients with SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: Immune dysregulation and inflammation in patients with SARS-CoV-2 is associated with a poor clinical outcome. We investigated the value of the inflammatory markers tryptophan and kynurenine in predicting the survival outcome of patients with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: The study included 252 inpatients with a SARS-CoV-2 infection hospitalized between August 2020 and April 2021. Two groups were generated based on disease survival (survival group: n = 199; deceased group: n = 53). Plasma concentrations of tryptophan, kynurenine and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured on admission. In a subset of patients (n = 105; 81 survivors and 24 deceased) concentrations of tryptophan and kynurenine were checked 7 days after admission. The kynurenine/tryptophan ratio (TRP/KYN ratio) was calculated. RESULTS: On admission, the deceased group showed significantly higher concentrations of kynurenine and a significantly higher KYN/TRP ratio compared to the survival group (p-values < 0.001). Kynurenine and the KYN/TRP ratio significantly correlated with IL-6 (ρ = 0.441 and 0.448, p-values < 0.001). In the survival group, kynurenine and the KYN/TRPratio were significantly lower after seven days (p-values < 0.001). In the deceased group, no significant differences were found between the measurements. CONCLUSION: Kynurenine and the KYN/TRP ratio are potentially useful parameters in predicting the survival outcome in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients.

Histamine Intolerance Originates in the Gut.

Histamine intolerance (HIT) is assumed to be due to a deficiency of the gastrointestinal (GI) enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) and, therefore, the food component histamine not being degraded and/or absorbed properly within the GI tract. Involvement of the GI mucosa in various disorders and diseases, several with unknown origin, and the effects of some medications seem to reduce gastrointestinal DAO activity. HIT causes variable, functional, nonspecific, non-allergic GI and extra-intestinal complaints. Usually, evaluation for HIT is not included in differential diagnoses of patients with unexplained, functional GI complaints or in the here-listed disorders and diseases. The clinical diagnosis of HIT is challenging, and the thorough anamnesis of all HIT-linked complaints, using a standardized questionnaire, is the mainstay of HIT diagnosis. So far, DAO values in serum have not been established to correlate with DAO activity in the gut, but the diagnosis of HIT may be supported with determination of a low serum DAO value. A targeted dietary intervention, consisting of a histamine-reduced diet and/or supplementation with oral DAO capsules, is helpful to reduce HIT-related symptoms. This manuscript will present why histamine should also be taken into account in the differential diagnoses of patients with various diseases and disorders of unknown origin, but with association to functional gastrointestinal complaints. In this review, we discuss currently increasing evidence that HIT is primarily a gastrointestinal disorder and that it originates in the gut.

Diagnosis of hepatic nuclear factor 1A monogenic diabetes mellitus (HNF1A-MODY) impacts antihyperglycemic treatment.

Monogenic mutations of the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 homeobox A maturity onset diabetes of the young (HNF1A-MODY) is characterized by early onset, typically before the age of 25 years. Patients are often not clinically recognized; however, the identification of HNF1A-MODY patients is crucial because they require different antihyperglycemic medical treatment than patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus. We describe two adult patients with monogenic diabetes, both identified as HNF1A-MODY, genetically c.815G>A, p.Arg272His and c675delC, p.Ser225Argfs*8, respectively. They were misdiagnosed as having type 1 diabetes mellitus, and consequently, initiating insulin therapy led to hypoglycemia and unstable blood glucose control. Usually, sulfonylureas represent the basis of antidiabetic treatment in patients with HNF1A-MODY; however, all medical personnel involved in diabetes care should be aware of monogenic diabetes mellitus and the possibilities for genetic testing. The patients observed have shown the necessity of the identification and appropriate genetic diagnosis of HNF1A-MODY in order to discontinue insulin therapy and to initiate adjusted diabetes management.

Comparison of the reliability of Gram-negative and Gram-positive flags of the Sysmex UF-5000 with manual Gram stain and urine culture results.

OBJECTIVES: Recently, the fully automated flow cytometry-based UF-5000 (Sysmex Corboration, Kobe, Japan) urine sediment analyzer was developed providing bacteria (BACT) info flags for more accurate bacterial discrimination of urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study aimed to compare the reliability of the UF-5000 BACT-info flags with manual Gram stain and urine culture as the gold standard method. METHODS: A total of 344 urine samples were analyzed on the UF-5000 and compared with manual microscopic Gram stain and urine cultures. Agreement was assessed by Cohen's kappa (κ) analysis. The Youden index was used to determine the optimal BACT and white blood cell (WBC) cut-off points for discriminating positive and negative urine cultures. RESULTS: Overall 98/344 (28.5%) samples were urine culture positive at a cut-off of ≥105 CFU/mL. "Gram-negative?" UF-5000 BACT-Info flags showed a better concordance of 25/40 (62.5%) with urine culture compared to Gram stain with 30/50 (60%). The results for UF-5000 discrimination of Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms demonstrated a substantial (κ = 0.78) and fair (κ = 0.40) agreement with urine culture. Optimal cut-off points detecting positive urine cultures were 135 BACT/µL (sensitivity [SE]: 92.1%, specificity [SP]: 85.4%, positive predictive value [PPV]: 71%, negative predictive value [NPV]: 96%) and 23 WBC/µL (SE: 73.5%, SP: 84.1%, PPV: 65%, NPV: 89%). CONCLUSIONS: The UF-5000 analyzer (Sysmex) is a reliable diagnostic tool for UTI screening. The displayed BACT-Info flags allow a quick diagnostic orientation for the clinician. However, the authors suggest verifying the automated Gram categories with urine culture.

Considering histamine in functional gastrointestinal disorders.

In westernized countries, adverse reactions to ingested foods are reported to affect up to 20% of the population. Functional, nonspecific, non-allergic gastrointestinal complaints are mainly due to the intolerance/malabsorption of carbohydrates (lactose and fructose), proteins (gluten), and biogenic amines (histamine). Food intolerance/malabsorption is defined by one or several of the above mentioned food components not being degraded and/or absorbed properly within the gastrointestinal tract. Food intolerance/malabsorption causes variable, functional, nonspecific, non-allergic gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal complaints, and a detailed diagnostic workup for all possible etiologic factors in individual patients is essential. Usually, evaluation for histamine intolerance is not included in differential diagnoses of patients with functional, nonspecific, non-allergic gastrointestinal complaints. A targeted dietary intervention for single or possibly combined intolerance/malabsorption is required. In this article, we review currently discussed differential diagnoses and available tests for intolerance/malabsorption. Accordingly, we aim to outline why including histamine and, histamine intolerance, should be considered in differential diagnoses of patients with functional, nonspecific, non-allergic gastrointestinal complaints.

Non-responsive celiac disease may coincide with additional food intolerance/malabsorption, including histamine intolerance.

BACKGROUND AND PILOT STUDY: Celiac disease (CD) or gluten malabsorption is a well-defined autoimmune disorder characterized by mucosal gastrointestinal reaction to ingested gluten proteins. The necessary treatment for CD is a gluten-free diet. However, up to 30% of celiac patients experience persistent or recurring abdominal complaints despite following an exact gluten-free diet. This condition was named refractory, non-responsive celiac disease. Other food ingredients, such as carbohydrates and biogenic amines, also influence and impair digestion, and may cause these abdominal symptoms. In this retrospective pilot study, we have reported on 20 non-responsive, celiac disease patients, with persistent abdominal complaints, for longer than 6 months. These patients were evaluated for extra food intolerance/malabsorption, including fructose malabsorption, histamine-, lactose intolerance, and Helicobacter pylori (H.p.) infection. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that 18 of the 20 refractory, non-responsive celiac disease patients presented various, additional food intolerance/malabsorption and/or H.p. infection. Seven NRCD patients demonstrated lactose intolerance, 7 showed fructose malabsorption, 11 had additional histamine intolerance and 6 had signs of H.p. infection or combinations thereof. If present, then eradication of H.p. was performed. Histamine intolerance, was found in more than 50% of patients, and it seems to play an important role in non-responsive celiac disease. A registered dietician continued to help with, and to improve, the patients' gluten-free diet. Furthermore, additional food intolerance/malabsorption considerations were included in the individual, dietary recommendations.

Interleukin-6 is associated with tryptophan metabolism and signs of depression in individuals with carbohydrate malabsorption.

The aim of the present study was to investigate possible associations between interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-gamma (INF-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), lactoferrin and lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) with TRP metabolism and signs of depression in a large cohort of outpatients referred for carbohydrate malabsorption testing. Serum concentrations of IL-6, INF-γ, TNF-α, lactoferrin, LBP, tryptophan (TRP), kynurenine (KYN) and kynuric acid were determined in 250 adults referred for lactose and fructose malabsorption testing. All participants filled out the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Serum IL-6 levels were positively correlated with the BDI score (p = 0.001, ρ = 0.205) and indicators of TRP metabolism (KYN/TRP ratio, KYN) (P-values < 0.05, ρ = 0.176 and 0.136). Ninety-five individuals with a BDI score > 13 showed significantly higher IL-6 serum levels (1.7 [1.0 - 2.8] vs. 1.1 [0.8 - 1.7] pg/mL, p < 0.001) compared to 115 individuals with a BDI score ≤ 13. LBP showed a positive correlation with the KYN/TRP ratio (p = 0.005, ρ = 0.177). IL-6 and LBP were associated with indicators of TRP metabolism. IL-6 was found to be linked to signs of depression. Individuals with the presence of depressive symptoms showed higher serum IL-6 levels compared to individuals without depressive symptoms.

Increasing Expiratory Hydrogen in Lactose Intolerance Is Associated with Additional Food Intolerance/Malabsorption.

Single and/or combined food intolerance/malabsorption may cause nonspecific, functional gastrointestinal (GI) complaints. In lactose-intolerant patients we evaluated the influence of additional food intolerance/malabsorption with hydrogen (H2) breath tests. In a retrospective analysis of charts from 279 lactose-intolerant patients, we found 128 patients with only lactose intolerance (LIT). Then, we identified 106 LIT patients with additional histamine intolerance (HIT). Additionally, 45 LIT and HIT patients also had fructose malabsorption (FM). A hydrogen (H2) breath test was performed to evaluate LIT and FM. A serum diamine oxidase value of <10 U/mL and a response to a histamine-reduced diet was used to identify HIT. Using pairwise comparison with the Kruskal-Wallis test to associate the area under the curve (AUC) of LIT patients and, LIT with HIT, to LIT with HIT and FM it was found, that the exhaled hydrogen values were significantly higher in patients with two-fold and triple combined food intolerance/malabsorption (p < 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively). Within the pool of 170 LIT patients with >20 ppm increase of expiratory H2 from baseline, there were 74 LIT-only patients, 60 LIT with HIT patients, and 36 LIT patients with additional HIT and FM. With the Kruskal-Wallis test AUCs demonstrated a significant difference between all three groups (p = 0.024). In patients with LIT, the presence of additional food intolerance/malabsorption, significantly increases expiratory H2 values. We demonstrate evidence, which may suggest HIT to embody an own GI disorder as food intolerance/malabsorption.