What is the Origin of Intestinal Permeability Assessment?

This diagnostic concept originated in gastroenterology and nutritional medicine, stemming from the physiological understanding that the gut barrier should be selectively permeable. The need for a quantifiable measure led to the development of standardized clinical tests. The assessment provides objective data on the functional status of the epithelial tight junctions, which is essential for precision therapeutic interventions.

What is the Mechanism of Intestinal Permeability Assessment?

The assessment typically involves the oral ingestion of two non-metabolized sugar probes of differing molecular weights, such as lactulose and mannitol. After a specified time, the concentration of these probes excreted in the urine is measured. A high ratio of the larger molecule (lactulose) to the smaller one (mannitol) indicates compromised tight junction integrity, suggesting an abnormal paracellular transport pathway. This ratio provides a reliable, non-invasive metric for intestinal barrier function.

Intestinal Permeability Assessment

Meaning

Intestinal Permeability Assessment is a clinical diagnostic procedure used to quantitatively evaluate the integrity of the gastrointestinal epithelial barrier, often referred to as a measure of “leaky gut.” This assessment determines the rate at which non-metabolized molecules of different sizes traverse the intestinal wall and enter the systemic circulation. Elevated permeability is a clinical finding associated with chronic inflammation, autoimmune conditions, and dysregulated hormonal health.