The effect of elemental diet on intestinal permeability and inflammation in Crohn's disease

Abstract This study examines whether treatment of acute Crohn's disease with an elemental diet improves intestinal integrity and inflammation as assessed by a 51 Cr-labeled ethylenediaminetetraacetatic acid (EDTA) permeability test and the fecal excretion of 111 In-labeled autologous leukocytes, respectively. Thirty-four patients with active Crohn's disease completed a 4-week treatment course with an elemental diet. Active disease was characterized by increased intestinal permeability [24-hour urine excretion of orally administered 51 Cr-EDTA, 6.4% ± 0.6% (mean ± SE); normal, 111 In-labeled leukocytes (14.2% ± 1.1%; normal, 51 Cr-EDTA (to 3.4% ± 0.5%; P 111 In (to 5.7% ± 1.0%; P