Zinc supplementation tightens "leaky gut" in Crohn's disease

Objectives: Small intestinal permeability is often increased in patients wi th Crohn's disease and may be pathogenic for clinical relapses. No effectiv e prophylactic treatment is available for these patients. The aim of this s tudy was to ascertain whether zinc supplementation may improve intestinal p ermeability. Methods: We studied 12 patients with quiescent Crohn's disease who had been in remission for at least 3 months and had increased intestin al permeability on two separate occasions within the last 2 months. Patient s received oral zinc sulfate supplements (110 mg three times a day) for 8 w eeks and were followed-up for 12 months thereafter to monitor relapses. Res ults: We found that the lactulose/mannitol ratio was significantly higher b efore supplementation than after (0.041 +/- 0.003 versus 0.026 +/- 0.005). During follow-up, 10 patients had normal intestinal permeability and did no t relapse; of the remaining two who had increased intestinal permeability, one relapsed. Conclusions: Our findings show that zinc supplementation can resolve permeability alterations in patients with Crohn's disease in remiss ion. Improving intestinal barrier function may contribute to seduce the ris k of relapse in Crohn's disease.