Background: In celiac disease, the mucosa in the small intestine is da
maged. This study was conducted to determine whether the normal peptid
e and protein uptake from the put is increased in patients with celiac
disease. Methods: The low-molecular-weight peptides were measured in
urine from children and adults with untreated celiac disease. A revers
ed-phase technique was used. Results: The excretion of peptides increa
sed compared with that in an age-and sex-matched reference group. Conc
lusions: Celiac patients have hyperpeptiduria. It is possible that som
e of these peptides are bioactive and may mediate varying systemic eff
ects also found in untreated celiac disease.