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Influence of low FODMAP and gluten-free diets on disease activity and intestinal microbiota in patients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)
April 1, 2019
Walburga Dieterich et al. (8 authors)
Clinical StudyJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to compare the effects of a low FODMAP diet versus a gluten-free diet (GFD) on clinical symptoms, psychological well-being, intestinal inflammation, and stool microbiota in patients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).

Results Summary

The GFD significantly improved clinical and psychological symptoms in NCGS patients, reduced duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes and mucin-producing Goblet cells, and caused microbial shifts in stool samples. Both diets led to microbial changes, with greater variability in NCGS patients.

Population

Nineteen patients with NCGS and ten healthy controls.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Two weeks for each diet (low FODMAP and GFD), with a five-day transition period.

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (11)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
low FODMAP diet
decrease
clinical symptoms
NCGS patients
-
led to a significant improvement
#1
low FODMAP diet
decrease
psychological symptoms
NCGS patients
-
led to a significant improvement
#2
gluten-free diet (GFD)
decrease
clinical symptoms
NCGS patients
-
led to a significant improvement
#3
gluten-free diet (GFD)
decrease
psychological symptoms
NCGS patients
-
led to a significant improvement
#4
gluten-free diet (GFD)
decrease
duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes
NCGS patients
-
clear reduction
#5
gluten-free diet (GFD)
decrease
mucin-producing Goblet cells
NCGS patients
-
clear reduction
#6
-
neutral
stool microbiota
NCGS patients and controls
-
significant microbial differences
#7
low FODMAP diet
neutral
stool microbiota
all participants
-
caused microbial shifts
#8
gluten-free diet (GFD)
neutral
stool microbiota
all participants
-
caused microbial shifts
#9
low FODMAP diet
increase
microbial shifts on genus level and metabolisms groups
NCGS patients
-
greater variability
#10
gluten-free diet (GFD)
increase
microbial shifts on genus level and metabolisms groups
NCGS patients
-
greater variability
#11
Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is characterized by intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms triggered by ingestion of gluten. However, non-gluten triggers have recently been implicated, and a FODMAP (fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols)-reduced diet can partially improve symptoms in NCGS. Our aim was to analyze the effect of a low FODMAP versus a gluten-free diet (GFD) on clinical symptoms, psychological well-being, intestinal inflammation and integrity, and stool microbiota. METHODS: Nineteen patients with NCGS and ten healthy controls consumed a gluten-containing standard diet before starting a two-week low FODMAP diet; after a five day transition period, participants ingested a GFD for another two weeks. The primary outcome measure was the improvement of clinical symptoms in NCGS patients under the different diets. Secondary outcomes were the determination of dietary effects on intestinal inflammation, psychological well-being, and differences in stool microbiota between NCGS patients and controls. RESULTS: The low FODMAP diet and especially the GFD led to a significant improvement of clinical and psychological symptoms in NCGS. A clear reduction in duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes and mucin-producing Goblet cells was found after the GFD in these patients. Significant microbial differences between NCGS patients and controls were noticed in stool samples at every time point. Both diets caused microbial shifts in all participants, with a greater variability on genus level and metabolisms groups in NCGS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a multifactorial etiology of NCGS, due to a functional effect caused by FODMAPs, combined with a mild gluten-triggered immune reaction, and a microbiota dysbalance. CLINICALTRIAL. GOV ID: NCT03268720.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdultCase-Control StudiesDiet, Carbohydrate-RestrictedDiet, Gluten-FreeFecesFemaleGastrointestinal MicrobiomeHumansMalabsorption SyndromesMaleMiddle AgedYoung Adult
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations73
Citations/Year12.2
Relative Citation Ratio3.92
NIH Percentile89.8%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.49
Normalized Score0.70
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