Health · Medical Research · 1 day ago
Blood proteins may help track intestinal damage in coeliac disease
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition in which gluten triggers inflammation that can damage the intestine.
People with the condition need to avoid gluten, but existing blood tests may not clearly show whether gut damage remains after they start the diet.
Researchers in Norway analyzed 264 blood and tissue samples from people with coeliac disease, taken before treatment and after a year on a gluten-free diet, as well as samples from people without the condition.
They identified 24 proteins linked to the disease, and nine were particularly associated with the extent of intestinal damage.
Protein levels were generally highest in people with untreated coeliac disease and lowest in people without it.
Some protein levels remained slightly higher in people on a gluten-free diet than in healthy people, suggesting inflammation may persist.
The researchers hope future tests using these proteins could add to current monitoring, but they are not intended to replace existing tests.
Researchers identified 24 blood proteins associated with coeliac disease, including nine linked to the extent of intestinal damage.
The study analyzed 264 blood and tissue samples from people with coeliac disease and people without it.
People with untreated coeliac disease had the highest levels of inflammatory proteins, while healthy individuals had the lowest.
Some protein levels remained slightly higher in people following a gluten-free diet than in healthy individuals.
The researchers say biomarker tests could eventually complement existing monitoring methods, not replace them.
- Who
- Researchers including Jostein Holen Ibsen at the Norwegian Coeliac Disease Research Centre and Oslo University Hospital.
- What
- The team identified blood proteins that may indicate coeliac disease activity and intestinal damage.
- When
- Samples were collected from 2018 to 2024. The study was published on 2026-10-10.
- Where
- Rikshospitalet, Norway.
- Why
- Current blood tests may not clearly show whether inflammation or intestinal damage persists after patients begin a gluten-free diet.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The problem with this blood test is that it simply does not work as well once patients have started treatment with a gluten-free diet.
Tests based on new biomarkers should not replace the tests we use today.
Researchers collected blood and tissue samples at Rikshospitalet.
Samples were collected from people with coeliac disease at both stages.
News-Medical published the report on the study.
- Samples analyzed
- 264 blood and tissue samples
- Proteins identified
- 24 associated with coeliac disease
- Proteins linked to intestinal damage
- 9
- Sample collection site
- Rikshospitalet
- Sample collection period
- 2018–2024
Sources
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