Correlation of endotoxemia from gastrointestinal origin and immune response in patients colonized by Escherichia coli in Samarra, Iraq
Department of field crop, College of Agriculture, University of Samarra, Iraq.
Research Article
International Journal of Scholarly Research in Biology and Pharmacy, 2026, 07(02), 051-064.
Article DOI: 10.56781/ijsrbp.2026.7.2.0027
Publication history:
Received on 22 May 2026; revised on 27 June 2026; accepted on 29 June 2026
Abstract:
Background: Gut flora is essential for the maintenance of metabolism and immunity in the host. Gut dysbiosis and infection by pathogens like Escherichia coli may lead to inflammation, endotoxemia, and metabolic dysfunction.
Objective: The objective of this study was to find out the relationship between colonisation of E. coli and metabolic, inflammatory, oxidative stress, hematological, and biochemical parameters in human participants.
Methods: In total, 150 individuals were recruited for the study, where the participants were assigned to one of two groups, depending on their intestinal colonization with E. coli bacteria (Control Group & Colonized Group; n=75). A variety of anthropometric, blood pressure parameters, along with numerous biochemical, inflammatory, oxidative stress, and hematological indices were evaluated and compared.
Results: The colonized group had significantly high BMI, WC, SBP, and DBP than the control subjects (p<0.05). Levels of inflammatory mediators such as LPS, LBP, sCD14, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and hs-CRP were considerably high in the colonized group (p<0.001). There was significant increase in oxidative stress markers (MDA, TOS, NO, ROS), whereas antioxidant markers (SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH, TAC) were considerably lower in colonized group subjects (p<0.001). The results of hematological analysis showed leukocytosis, neutrophilia, raised NLR, and low lymphocytes percent. Results of biochemical analysis showed hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, altered liver and kidney markers, as well as low protein levels in colonized group subjects. There were significant positive correlations between serum LPS and inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, but there were negative correlations with antioxidant markers .
Conclusion: Infection by Escherichia coli leads to a number of physiological and biochemical effects including endotoxemia, increased stress burden in the form of inflammation and oxidative stress, and biochemical changes. This implies that there is a relationship between gut flora imbalance and systemic metabolic disorders.
Keywords:
Escherichia coli; Endotoxemia; Lipopolysaccharide (LPS); Oxidative Stress; Insulin Resistance; Dysbiosis; Metabolic Disorders.
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