Z Gastroenterol 2013; 51 - P_2_15
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1331978

The stress-induced ligand MIC B and markers of apoptosis are up-regulated in patients with celiac disease as compared to NASH patients

J Kälsch 1, A Kahraman 1, M Schlattjan 1, T Marth 2, K Rehbehn 3, H Baba 4, G Gerken 1, A Canbay 1
  • 1University Clinic Essen, Germany, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Essen, Germany
  • 2Maria Hilf Hospital Daun, Germany, Department of Internal Medicine, Daun, Germany
  • 3Private Practice Ufergarten, Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Solingen, Germany
  • 4University Clinic Essen, Germany, Department of Pathology, Essen, Germany

Background and Aims: Liver and gut not only share alimentary but also immunologically features. Major histocompatibility complex class I-related chains A and B (MIC A/B) function as indicators for cellular stress. These so called stress-induced ligands were suggested to play an important role in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and are also a prominent feature of celiac disease (CD). Patients and Methods: In the present study, 21 patients with celiac disease and 20 patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) were investigated. Liver enzymes, markers of apoptosis (M30, M65), and also expression of adiponectin were determined. Liver and gut samples were harvested and analyzed focusing on apoptosis and cellular stress. Results: Mean patient age was 43 years (18–69) for CD and 49 years (33–68) for the NASH group. Rates of apoptosis were higher in CD patients as compared to the NASH group. Concurrently, expression of MIC B was significantly up-regulated in CD patients as compared to NASH patients. Conclusion: Stress-induced ligands and cell death by apoptosis are significantly higher in CD patients as compared to NASH patients. Prospective studies are needed to determine the exact role of the gut-liver axis and the clinical implication to screen for NAFLD in CD patients.