Allergic rhinitis in children is associated with high serum levels of zonulin

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic disease characterised by nasal membrane inflammation. Inflammation and epithelial barrier dysfunction play significant roles in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. Methods: The study included 88 children with AR and 50 healthy controls. We measured serum zonulin and haptoglobin levels and compared the groups. Results: Children with AR had a higher median value of zonulin than healthy children [(11 (4.21-35.95) vs. 8.81 (3.59-47.72) ng/mL, respectively] (p = 0.024). Median value of haptoglobin/zonulin ratio was lower in children with AR [7.91 (0.46-31.93)] compared to healthy controls [11.07 (0.77-74.37), p = 0.011)]. Serum zonulin, haptoglobin levels and the haptoglobin/zonulin ratio did not differ significantly between children with persistent and intermittent AR. Conclusion: High serum zonulin levels and low haptoglobin/zonulin ratios in children show an increased association with AR. Our results may support that inflammation is increased, intestinal permeability and preventive mechanisms to decrease oxidative damage are disrupted in children with AR.