Abstract
In the current world, a major challenge to diagnose environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is the lack of validated non-invasive biomarkers. Intestine derived molecules, including intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP), trefoil factor-3 (TFF3), lactoferrin, lipocalin-2 (LCN2), and mucin-2, have been reported as indicators of intestinal inflammation and gut health. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the levels of these bio-molecules as biomarkers of EED among under-2 children in Bangladesh. A total of 140 children were recruited in a case–control design. All the biomarkers were measured by ELISA. Spearman’s rank correlation was performed to see the correlation between the biomarkers and the EED score. Moreover, multivariable linear regression was performed to investigate the association of biomarkers with length-for-age z-score (LAZ). TFF3 correlates positively with myeloperoxidase (r = 0.26, p < 0.05) and EED score (r = 0.17, p < 0.05). Likewise, LCN2 correlates positively with myeloperoxidase (r = 0.37, p < 0.05), neopterin (r = 0.33, p < 0.05) and EED score (r = 0.31, p < 0.05). Moreover, multivariable linear regression revealed a negative association of I-FABP with LAZ of the study participants. Our results imply that TFF3 and LCN2 might be promising biomarkers to diagnose intestinal inflammation and EED, while I-FABP is negatively associated with linear growth of Bangladeshi children.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 13905 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Scientific Reports |
Volume | 12 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2022 |
Publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Funding
The authors cordially thank all the participants of the study as well as the laboratory and field staffs at icddr,b for their contributions. They also acknowledge with gratitude the commitment of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to this research effort. icddr,b is also grateful to the Governments of Bangladesh, Canada, Sweden and the UK for providing core/unrestricted support. This study was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Grant ID was OPP1136751.
Publication forum classification
- Publication forum level 1
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General