Prolonged Gluten Administration in Normal Subjects

Abstract

AN etiologic role of wheat gluten in the pathogenesis of nontropical sprue has been established.^{1 2 3 4 5} There is conflicting evidence over whether gluten produces steatorrhea in the rat.^{6 , 7} Although the statement has been made that gluten does not result in toxicity when fed to normal subjects,⁸ few data regarding possible deleterious effects of prolonged gluten administration in man exist. Previous investigations were performed almost exclusively in patients with nontropical sprue.^{1 , 3 , 4} Studies in normal persons or patients with malabsorption, excluding nontropical sprue, have been limited in scope and duration and have not shown any harmful effects of gluten supplementation on gastrointestinal absorption. . . .