Complement and Integrative Approach in Gut Health and Immunologic Disease.
10.7599/hmr.2010.30.2.109
- Author:
Woo Kyu JEON
1
Author Information
1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. wookyu.jeon@samsung.com
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Intestinal permeability;
Leaky gut syndrome;
Autoimmune disease;
Gut barrier function
- MeSH:
Autoimmune Diseases;
Bacteria;
Complement System Proteins;
Immune System;
Immune System Diseases;
Intestinal Mucosa;
Intestines;
Permeability;
Spleen
- From:Hanyang Medical Reviews
2010;30(2):109-114
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The intestine is an organ involved with absorbing, processing, and transporting food into the body. However, if one were to assess the immunological portion of the intestine and compare it with better-known immunologically functioning organs such as the spleen, the intestine would be found to be the largest such organ and the extent of its immunologic function would be found to be equally proportionate. The mucosal surface of the intestine has the ability to respond to effector cells capable of protecting the host from potentially harmful organisms or local antigens. When there is increased intestinal permeability (Leaky gut syndrome), pathogenic bacteria and its products, toxins, antigens, chemicals and incompletely digested food penetrate the intestinal epithelium and are transported throughout the body. They activate the immune system and effect the pathophysiology of acute and chronic inflammatory disease and autoimmune disease. Therefore, by a better understanding of the importance of gut barrier function and the pathophysiology of gut related immunologic disease, we can make helpful suggestions for achieving optimal intestinal health.
