Zonulin and blood-brain barrier permeability are dissociated in humans

Zonulin regulates intestinal epithelial tight junctions but its role in blood-brain barrier permeability in humans is unclear. Three techniques were utilized to assess blood-brain barrier permeability: dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid / serum albumin quotient and fluorescent dextrans in a human cerebrovascular endothelial cell line. Zonulin did not correlate with blood-brain barrier permeability in vivo or in vitro