Influence of Dietary Patterns on Plasma Soluble CD14, a Surrogate Marker of Gut Barrier Dysfunction

Abstract

Background Specific foods and nutrients, including alcohol, may contribute to gut barrier dysfunction. However, to our knowledge, the influence of whole diets is currently unknown. Objective We aimed to cross-sectionally investigate associations of dietary patterns with plasma soluble CD14 (sCD14), which is released by macrophages on stimulation with endotoxin and has been used as a marker of gut hyperpermeability. Methods We used food-frequency questionnaire data collected from 689 women in the Nurses’ Health Study and 509 men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Our principal component analysis identified 2 dietary patterns: “Western” (higher intakes of red meat, processed meat, desserts, and refined grains) and “prudent” (higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains). In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analyses, we estimated ORs and 95% CIs for high (equal to or greater than the median compared with less than the median) sCD14 concentrations in quintiles of each dietary pattern. Using logistic regression, we also investigated the joint association of the Western dietary pattern and alcohol intake or C-reactive protein (CRP) with sCD14 concentrations. Results Western dietary pattern scores were positively associated with sCD14 concentrations (OR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.24, 2.79; P-trend = 0.0005; comparing extreme quintiles). Analyses of joint associations suggested that the strongest associations with higher sCD14 concentrations were for persons with both high Western pattern scores and high alcohol intake compared with participants with low scores for both (OR: 2.96; 95% CI: 1.61, 5.45) or for participants with both high Western pattern scores and high CRP values compared with those with low scores for both (OR: 4.11; 95% CI: 2.57, 6.58). The prudent pattern was not associated with sCD14 concentrations. Conclusions Higher consumption of the Western dietary pattern is associated with a marker of macrophage activation and gut hyperpermeability, especially when coupled with high alcohol intake and heightened systemic inflammation. Our findings need confirmation in studies with additional markers of gut barrier dysfunction.

Alterations in bacterial communities, SCFA and biomarkers in an elderly HIV-positive and HIV-negative population in western Mexico

“…Suthat Liangpunsakul, et al in 2017 describe how there is a positive correlation between alcohol consumption and the increase in sCD14 levels. This is even more observed when combined with alcohol consumption there is a high intake of red and processed meats, high-fat dairy products (e.g., whole milk and cream), refined grains, and desserts [47]. Zuleika Michelini, et al in 2016, presented a similar result.…”

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“…We found that sCD14 levels were increased in SLE, confirming previous studies (23, 54, 55). Recent reports demonstrated that elevated levels of sCD14 in plasma are associated with intestinal barrier dysfunction (56, 57). The positive correlation between sCD14 and disease activity (SELENA-SLEDAI score) levels suggests a role for endotoxemia in SLE progression.…”

“…However, none of these approaches is without pitfalls. For example, circulating LPS and zonulin levels are not considered reliable markers for compromised gut permeability due to technical difficulties in quantification (57, 100–103). The acquisition of intestinal tissue from SLE patients and controls is uncommon, which makes such an approach less feasible.…”

“…The acquisition of intestinal tissue from SLE patients and controls is uncommon, which makes such an approach less feasible. For these and other reasons, assessment of biomarkers related to microbial exposure and immune activation is considered one of the best possible measures of analyzing compromised gut permeability in humans using archived serum or plasma samples (57, 104).…”

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“…Elevated levels of sCD14 could be caused by bacterial exposure, alterations in the microbiome, compromised gut integrity and increased levels of cytokines. This would induce monocyte/macrophage activation and elevate the circulating concentrations of sCD14 (43,(81)(82)(83)(84)(85)(86). Release of sCD14 by synovial macrophages was also suggested to contribute to elevated levels in RA patients (74).…”