A New Biomarker in the Differential Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis: Zonulin

Authors : Muhammet Ali Daşkin, Asım Kalkan, Vedat Gültekin, Baki Hayme, Vahide Aslankoç, Öner Bozan, Seracettin Egın

Pages : 113-117

Doi:10.38175/phnx.1807484

View : 38 | Download : 121

Publication Date : 2026-01-13

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: Acute appendicitis is the most frequently encountered emergency abdominal surgery worldwide, and the clinical diagnosis is based on the history, physical examination, laboratory evaluation and imaging. Zonulin is a measurable protein that reflects intestinal permeability. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of serum zonulin levels in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Material and Method: This prospective, observational study included patients aged ≥18 years who presented to the emergency medicine department of a city hospital with clinical and examination findings and were pathologically confirmed with appendicitis after the operation. A control group was formed of healthy subjects aged >18 years. Serum zonulin levels were compared between the two groups. Results: Evaluation was made of a total of 123 voluntary subjects who met the study inclusion criteria, as 64 (52%) in the patient group and 59 (48%) in the control group. The serum zonulin levels were determined to be significantly low in the appendicitis patient group at 15.2 ± 10.3 ng/mL (p<0.001). According to the pathology reports of acute appendicitis, no significant difference was observed in the serum zonulin levels between acute phlegmonous appendicitis and acute perforated appendicitis. Conclusion: Serum zonulin levels were determined to be significantly reduced in appendicitis patients. This suggests that serum zonulin could be a potential negative biomarker in acute appendicitis pathogenesis.
Keywords : : Akut apandisit, Zonulin, Biyobelirteç

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