Tissue Destruction and Healing in Celiac Disease

Inclusion Criteria:

Gluten challenge group:

1. Age 18 to 75 years old

2. Diagnosis of Celiac disease for at least 12 months by intestinal biopsy

3. Follow a strict gluten-free diet for at least the 12 consecutive months

Gluten de-challenge group:

1. Age 18 to 75 years old

2. Showing typical celiac disease symptoms

3. Not on a gluten-free diet

Control group:

1. Age 18 to 75 years old

2. Females who are not pregnant

Exclusion Criteria:

Gluten challenge group:

1. Diagnosis of any severe complication of celiac disease

2. Diagnosis of other chronic, active GI disease

3. Selective IgA deficiency

4. Severe reaction to gluten exposure

5. Any clinically significant diseases

6. History of significant substance or alcohol abuse

7. Pregnant or lactating

8. Diagnosis of blood clotting disorders

Gluten de-challenge group:

1. History of chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal disease

2. Gastrointestinal illness within the 4-week period prior to screening

3. History of lymphoproliferative disease

4. Uncontrolled blood clotting disorders

5. Any clinically significant diseases

6. History of significant substance or alcohol abuse

Control group:

1. Taking antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, aspirin, or non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs

2. Known intestinal inflammation

3. Prior gastrointestinal surgery

4. Taking of antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants

5. Family history of celiac disease