Evaluation of the proteomic profile in patients with celiac disease and malabsorption syndrome

Abstract

The malabsorption syndrome includes many clinical units that lead to chronic diarrhea and malnutrition. In celiac disease and small intestine bacterial overgrowth making the diagnosis is not always straightforward, and the diagnosis often requires combining blood antibody tests, intestinal biopsies, and specific genetic testing. The study aimed to assess patients' protein/peptide profiles with celiac disease (n=31), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (n=28), and the control group (n=30). Attempts have also been made to identify potential new diagnostic markers. After appropriate preparation, a proteomic analysis of peptides was performed using the MALDI–TOF mass spectrometer. Identified proteins were fibrinogen alpha-chain, kininogen-1, mucin 3A, complement C3, complement C4A, and inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4. Performed analyses indicated some proteins that could be potentially involved in the presence of the disease in question and proved that proteomic profiling might serve as a powerful diagnostic tool. Due to the difficulties in celiac disease and small intestine bacterial overgrowth diagnosis, there is a clear need for further investigation of the biological role of proteins potentially involved in the course of the disease.