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Plasma Alkylresorcinols is an objective biomarker for gluten intake in young children

Hård af Segerstad, Elin M LU orcid ; Ericson-Hallström, Emelie LU ; Bokström, Anna LU ; Armeni, Marina ; Savolainen, Otto and Andrén Aronsson, Carin Margaretha LU orcid (2025) In The Journal of nutrition
Abstract
Background
Alkylresorcinols are a well-established biomarker for whole grain intake. There is evidence suggesting that total plasma alkylresorcinol concentration may also be used as a biomarker for gluten intake in adults.
Objective
The aim of the study was to evaluate if total alkylresorcinol concentration is a valid biomarker for gluten intake in young children.
Methods
Non-fasting plasma alkylresorcinol concentrations were analyzed by normal-phase ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) in 65 children aged 18 months included in a randomized controlled trial. The intervention group was following a gluten-free diet (n=21, 31.3%), while the diet was unrestricted in the control... (More)
Background
Alkylresorcinols are a well-established biomarker for whole grain intake. There is evidence suggesting that total plasma alkylresorcinol concentration may also be used as a biomarker for gluten intake in adults.
Objective
The aim of the study was to evaluate if total alkylresorcinol concentration is a valid biomarker for gluten intake in young children.
Methods
Non-fasting plasma alkylresorcinol concentrations were analyzed by normal-phase ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) in 65 children aged 18 months included in a randomized controlled trial. The intervention group was following a gluten-free diet (n=21, 31.3%), while the diet was unrestricted in the control group (n=44, 65.7%). Alkylresorcinol concentrations in the 65 children were validated against simultaneously collected 3-day food records estimating total gluten intake.
Results
Gluten intake in controls was median 5.8 grams (g)/day (inter quartile range [IQR] 2.8-9.4, max 17.1) compared to 0.0 g/day (IQR 0.0-0.0, max 0.7, p<0.001) in the intervention group. In the control group, wheat accounted for mean 85% (standard deviations [SD] 0.1) of the gluten intake. The intervention group had lower alkylresorcinol levels (median 7.2 nmol/L, IQR 4.0-10.5) compared to controls (median 269, IQR 116-505 nmol/L, p<0.001). The correlation between alkylresorcinol concentrations and gluten intake was rho=0.68 (p<0.001). Alkylresorcinol concentrations increased by 35.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9, 46.2, p<0.001) for every g/day increase of gluten intake. The Cohen’s weighted kappa between quartiles of alkylresorcinol and gluten intake was 0.73 (95% CI 0.59, 0.86).
Conclusions
Alkylresorcinol concentrations increased with gluten intake in young non-fasting children. The findings suggest that alkylresorcinol concentrations may be a useful biomarker for gluten intake in young children. (Less)
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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
in
The Journal of nutrition
publisher
Oxford University Press
external identifiers
  • scopus:85217662954
  • pmid:39880171
ISSN
1541-6100
DOI
10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.01.020
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
3afbc006-347a-410d-8153-0dd3a1b61d3e
date added to LUP
2025-01-29 11:13:19
date last changed
2025-05-01 03:00:10
@article{3afbc006-347a-410d-8153-0dd3a1b61d3e,
  abstract     = {{Background<br/>Alkylresorcinols are a well-established biomarker for whole grain intake. There is evidence suggesting that total plasma alkylresorcinol concentration may also be used as a biomarker for gluten intake in adults.<br/>Objective<br/>The aim of the study was to evaluate if total alkylresorcinol concentration is a valid biomarker for gluten intake in young children.<br/>Methods<br/>Non-fasting plasma alkylresorcinol concentrations were analyzed by normal-phase ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) in 65 children aged 18 months included in a randomized controlled trial. The intervention group was following a gluten-free diet (n=21, 31.3%), while the diet was unrestricted in the control group (n=44, 65.7%). Alkylresorcinol concentrations in the 65 children were validated against simultaneously collected 3-day food records estimating total gluten intake.<br/>Results<br/>Gluten intake in controls was median 5.8 grams (g)/day (inter quartile range [IQR] 2.8-9.4, max 17.1) compared to 0.0 g/day (IQR 0.0-0.0, max 0.7, p&lt;0.001) in the intervention group. In the control group, wheat accounted for mean 85% (standard deviations [SD] 0.1) of the gluten intake. The intervention group had lower alkylresorcinol levels (median 7.2 nmol/L, IQR 4.0-10.5) compared to controls (median 269, IQR 116-505 nmol/L, p&lt;0.001). The correlation between alkylresorcinol concentrations and gluten intake was rho=0.68 (p&lt;0.001). Alkylresorcinol concentrations increased by 35.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9, 46.2, p&lt;0.001) for every g/day increase of gluten intake. The Cohen’s weighted kappa between quartiles of alkylresorcinol and gluten intake was 0.73 (95% CI 0.59, 0.86).<br/>Conclusions<br/>Alkylresorcinol concentrations increased with gluten intake in young non-fasting children. The findings suggest that alkylresorcinol concentrations may be a useful biomarker for gluten intake in young children.}},
  author       = {{Hård af Segerstad, Elin M and Ericson-Hallström, Emelie and Bokström, Anna and Armeni, Marina and Savolainen, Otto and Andrén Aronsson, Carin Margaretha}},
  issn         = {{1541-6100}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Oxford University Press}},
  series       = {{The Journal of nutrition}},
  title        = {{Plasma Alkylresorcinols is an objective biomarker for gluten intake in young children}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.01.020}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.01.020}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}