Fecal Calprotectin is a clinically valuable and non-invasive biomarker measured in a stool sample, representing a calcium-binding protein predominantly released by neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, into the intestinal lumen. Elevated concentrations of this protein serve as a highly sensitive, objective indicator of active inflammatory processes occurring within the gastrointestinal tract, often correlating with mucosal damage or inflammatory bowel conditions. Monitoring this marker allows for a quantifiable, real-time assessment of intestinal inflammatory status, which is deeply relevant to overall systemic health and the gut-hormone axis.
Origin
The term and its widespread clinical application originated in gastroenterology as a reliable, accessible surrogate marker for intestinal inflammation, offering a non-invasive alternative for initial screening and disease monitoring. Calprotectin itself is a key component of the S100 protein family, underscoring its role in the innate immune response and inflammatory signaling. Its measurement has become a standard and essential tool in modern functional and clinical practice for the assessment of gut integrity.
Mechanism
The mechanism of its presence in the stool is a direct result of the inflammatory cascade: when the intestinal lining is damaged or challenged, neutrophils are rapidly recruited to the site of inflammation as part of the host immune defense. These activated or dying neutrophils then degranulate, releasing their intracellular contents, including calprotectin, into the intestinal lumen. The measured concentration of fecal calprotectin is directly proportional to the total number of neutrophils present and the intensity of the ongoing inflammation, providing a clear window into the inflammatory burden impacting the body.
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