Nutrients (Sep 2013)

Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity: The New Frontier of Gluten Related Disorders

  • Alessio Fasano,
  • Anna Sapone,
  • Umberto Volta,
  • Victor Zevallos,
  • Andreas Vécsei,
  • Reiner Ullrich,
  • Michael Schumann,
  • Detlef Schuppan,
  • David Sanders,
  • Christof Meinhold,
  • Sibylle Koletzko,
  • Peter Koehler,
  • Peter Green,
  • Wolfgang Holtmeier,
  • Luca Elli,
  • Ruggiero Francavilla,
  • Carolina Ciacci,
  • Fernanda Cristofori,
  • Jernej Dolinsek,
  • Gemma Castillejo,
  • Antonio Carroccio,
  • Antonio Calabrò,
  • Gerd Bouma,
  • Bruno Bonaz,
  • Julio C. Bai,
  • Carlo Catassi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu5103839
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 10
pp. 3839 – 3853

Abstract

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Non Celiac Gluten sensitivity (NCGS) was originally described in the 1980s and recently a “re-discovered” disorder characterized by intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms related to the ingestion of gluten-containing food, in subjects that are not affected with either celiac disease (CD) or wheat allergy (WA). Although NCGS frequency is still unclear, epidemiological data have been generated that can help establishing the magnitude of the problem. Clinical studies further defined the identity of NCGS and its implications in human disease. An overlap between the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and NCGS has been detected, requiring even more stringent diagnostic criteria. Several studies suggested a relationship between NCGS and neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly autism and schizophrenia. The first case reports of NCGS in children have been described. Lack of biomarkers is still a major limitation of clinical studies, making it difficult to differentiate NCGS from other gluten related disorders. Recent studies raised the possibility that, beside gluten, wheat amylase-trypsin inhibitors and low-fermentable, poorly-absorbed, short-chain carbohydrates can contribute to symptoms (at least those related to IBS) experienced by NCGS patients. In this paper we report the major advances and current trends on NCGS.

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