Title:Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction in Human Pathology and Aging
Volume: 22
Issue: 30
Author(s): Marcel Cerqueira César Machado and Fabiano Pinheiro da Silva
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Intestinal barrier, inflammation, bacterial translocation.
Abstract: Background: The intestinal barrier is a layer that constitutes the most important
barrier against the external environment. It can be partially disrupted in several frequent
scenarios, leading to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Translocation of intestinal
luminal contents into the intestinal mucosa may induce inflammatory disorders and therefore
tissue injuries. Disruption of the intestinal barrier may induce local and systemic injuries and
may play a role in inflammatory bowel disease, liver diseases, the aging process and in the
systemic inflammatory response syndrome, including lung, heart and brain dysfunctions.
Conclusion: Here, we discuss how the maintenance of it selectively permeability is crucial
to adequate absorption of nutrients, electrolytes and water while maintaining effective host
defense properties in order to avoid intestinal injury, systemic inflammation and distant
organ damage.
