Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Exploring the Theory of Leaky Intestine: Gender Differences in Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Cytoskeletal Wall Dysfunctions and Hypertension

Philip C Njemanze
* ORCID logo ,
Anthonia Amadi
,
Joy E Onuchukwu
,
Chinwendu C Darlington
,
Nneoma E Ukeje
,
Clinton O Mezu
,
Clara C Ofoegbu
,
Chidera Okuh
,
Chidimma Ukaegbu
,
Linda O Uzoma
,
Marvis Amuchie
,
Faustina N Ojilere
,
Lilian C Mbara
Version 1 : Received: 29 June 2023 / Approved: 30 June 2023 / Online: 3 July 2023 (14:03:41 CEST)

How to cite: Njemanze, P.C.; Amadi, A.; Onuchukwu, J.E.; Darlington, C.C.; Ukeje, N.E.; Mezu, C.O.; Ofoegbu, C.C.; Okuh, C.; Ukaegbu, C.; Uzoma, L.O.; Amuchie, M.; Ojilere, F.N.; Mbara, L.C. Exploring the Theory of Leaky Intestine: Gender Differences in Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Cytoskeletal Wall Dysfunctions and Hypertension. Preprints 2023, 2023070106. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202307.0106.v1 Njemanze, P.C.; Amadi, A.; Onuchukwu, J.E.; Darlington, C.C.; Ukeje, N.E.; Mezu, C.O.; Ofoegbu, C.C.; Okuh, C.; Ukaegbu, C.; Uzoma, L.O.; Amuchie, M.; Ojilere, F.N.; Mbara, L.C. Exploring the Theory of Leaky Intestine: Gender Differences in Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Cytoskeletal Wall Dysfunctions and Hypertension. Preprints 2023, 2023070106. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202307.0106.v1

Abstract

Background: Globally, about 3.5 billion people are affected by intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs). This study aimed to investigate the effects of IPIs on intestinal wall thickness and its potential association with hypertension in different genders. Methods: A total of 108 subjects, including 83 consecutive patients with symptomatic and laboratory-confirmed IPIs (male = 48; female = 35) and 25 healthy controls (male = 10; female = 15), were recruited. B-mode ultrasound grayscale and color images of the duodenum and colon were obtained with and without water contrast. Results: Patients with IPIs had a tendency towards greater duodenal wall thickness (DUOTHICK = 0.88 ± 0.73 cm) compared to controls (0.595 ± 0.089 cm), p = 0.056. Patients with IPIs also had significantly greater ascending colon wall thickness (ASCTHICK = 1.076 ± 0.29 cm) and descending colon wall thickness (DSCTHICK = 1.175 ± 0.366 cm) compared to controls (ASCTHICK = 0.6015 ± 0.1607 cm, DSCTHICK = 0.6223 ± 0.135 cm), p < 0.05. Men over 50 years had greater DSCTHICK (1.25 ± 0.434 cm) than post-menopausal women (0.986 ± 0.389 cm), p < 0.05. DSCTHICK significantly predicted diastolic blood pressure (β = -0.295, p < .05) and blood sodium level (β = -0.300, p < .05). Conclusion: We demonstrated the effects of IPIs on the intestinal microbiome causing intestinal wall cytoskeletal dysfunction, which led to the development of a "leaky gut syndrome."

Keywords

Intestinal Microbiome; Gut Microbiota; Parasites; Ultrasound; Parasites

Subject

Public Health and Healthcare, Primary Health Care

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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