Diamine Oxidase in Serum and Small Intestinal Biopsy Tissue in Childhood Celiac Disease

Abstract

Diamine oxidase (DAO) activities were measured in small intestinal biopsies and in serum from control children and children with florid celiac disease. Mucosal DAO activities were found to be significantly higher in control children when compared with children with celiac disease (mean +/- SEM: 486 +/- 39 versus 121 +/- 22.1 nmol h-1 g-1 wet weight, p less than 0.001). Similarly, serum DAO activities were significantly higher in control children when compared with children with celiac disease (mean +/- SEM: 39 +/- 12 versus 13.6 +/- 2 pmol h-1 ml-1 serum, p less than 0.002). The lower serum activities associated with low mucosal values support the hypothesis that serum DAO activity reflects small bowel integrity.