Zonulin in stool samples (ZONU)

Zonulin is the "doorway" to leaky gut. Zonulin opens up the spaces between the cells of the intestinal lining.That normally occurs, in order for nutrient and other molecules to get in and out of the intestine. However, when leaky gut is present, the spaces between the cells open up too much allowing larger protein molecules to get into the bloodstream where an immunologic reaction can take place. It can also cause leakage of intestinal contents, like bacteria into the immune system creating inflammation. As the zonulin level rises, the seal between the intestinal cells diminishes, opening up spaces between cells that allow all sorts of things to pass right through. This is called "leaky gut". Zonulin is the only physiological modulator of intercellular tight junctions described so far that is involved in trafficking of macromolecules and, therefore, in tolerance/immune response balance.