Defective synthesis of apolipoprotein A-I in jejunal mucosa in coeliac disease.

Apolipoprotein A-I was studied in biopsy specimens from the duodenojejunal junction by means of an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. In normal control subjects apolipoprotein A-I was immunohistochemically detected only in the absorptive cells at the tips of villi and was mainly localized supranuclearly. In 14 patients with coeliac disease apolipoprotein A-I was virtually undetectable. This implies that the inflammatory lesion in coeliac disease decreases the intestinal mass of apolipoprotein A-I, because it destroys the villous absorptive cells. Apolipoprotein A-I concentrations in plasma were also decreased (by 40%) in patients with coeliac disease, suggesting that the intestine has a role in maintaining plasma apolipoprotein A-I levels.