<<Disclaimer:  Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

The following is a private email, posted with the permission of Dr. Reichelt,
who has recently joined our CELIAC list.  He is from Norway, and has been
researching the impact of gluten intolerance on certain individuals with
developmental delays.  He also makes mention of whether biopsy is necessary,
which has been a subject of several posts in these first days of our new
list.

Message 9       11/8/94   9:01 AM
Subject: Intolerance to food proteins
From:  Kalle Reichelt,[log in to unmask],Internet

There are several different types of intolerance. Coeliac disease is one
where  certain peptides from gliadin and gluten are toxic to the gut mucosa
due to lack of break down. Usually these people have certain Major
histocompatability genes  or surface molecules on cells that bind peptides.
They show IgA often IgG antibodies to gluten and gliadin as well as
endomycium antibodies.(ref to peptides Wieser et al (1984)
lebensmittelundersuch.Forsh.79:3371-1176), Cornell (1988) Clin Chim Acta
176:279-229.)

It is especially important to stay on diet confirmed by biopsy because of
certain malignant lymphomas that may develop especially in symptom free
coeliac disease(not all get diarrhroea), as well as certain types of epilepsy
(Gobbi et al (1992) The Lancet 340:439-443). IgA and endomycium bodies
together may make biopsies superfluous, but as of today, biopsies are
probably necessary.

The other type of intolerance is due to psychoactive peptides formed in the
gut such as exorphins (Opioids formed in the gut). Especially important are
casein, gliadin and gluten . Also intact proteins are taken up from the gut
postprandially [after meals] Husby et al (1985) Scand J Immunol 22:83-92.
Although little (2-5 nanomles per ml blood) insufficient break-down may end
in peptide build up over time with psychoactive effects . More than the
expected number of psychotic patients have specific IgA antibodies increase
but not endomycium antibodies. There are 15 opioid sequences in one molecule
of gluten as found by Prof Yoshikawa, Japan . It is easy to see that this may
develop into a problem if the breakdown is insufficient of inhibited.

                                Cheers Tiny

K. Reichelt
Pediatric Research Institute
N-0027 Oslo, Norway
Tel: +47 22 86 90 45
Fax: +47 22 86 91 17
E-mail: [log in to unmask]