Biomarkers and Functional Assays of Epithelial Barrier Disruption and Gastrointestinal Dysmotility in Critical Illness—A Narrative Review

Abstract

Enteral nutrition in critically ill children has been associated with improved clinical outcomes. Gastrointestinal dysfunction often impedes the timely initiation and advancement of enteral nutrition and can contribute to immune dysregulation and systemic inflammation. Therefore, assessing gastrointestinal function, at a cellular and functional level, is important to provide optimal enteral nutrition therapy and reduce the gastrointestinal tract’s contribution to the inflammatory cascade of critical illness. In this narrative review, we present an overview of biomarker and functional assays for gastrointestinal dysfunction, including epithelial barrier disruption and gastrointestinal dysmotility, that have been considered for critically ill patients.

The beneficial effects of neutrophil elastase inhibitor on gastrointestinal dysfunction in sepsis

“…AGI was a frequent complication in critically ill patients, which was definitely associated with worse outcomes 24,26,29 . Critically ill patients had a 40% prevalence of AGI and a 33% fatality rate, according to a meta‐analysis of 14 trials 30 .…”

“…AGI was a frequent complication in critically ill patients, which was definitely associated with worse outcomes. 24 , 26 , 29 Critically ill patients had a 40% prevalence of AGI and a 33% fatality rate, according to a meta‐analysis of 14 trials. 30 As one of the main manifestations of AGI, the mucosal barrier dysfunction was also considered both a cause and a result of sepsis.…”