Home - Epithelial Barrier Theory

The Epithelial Barrier Theory is a comprehensive explanation for the global, epidemic-level rise in chronic health conditions over the past 65 years. The theory, postulated by Akdis, proposes that exposure to toxic substances introduced by industrialization and modern lifestyle changes disrupts the epithelial barrier of the skin, upper and lower airways, and gut mucosa and causes microbial dysbiosis triggering an inflammatory immune response that can initiate or aggravate more than 70 chronic inflammatory diseases. The Epithelial Barrier Theory includes the ONE HEALTH concept with the strong veterinary medicine involvement of pets and domestic animals.

Epithelial Barrier Theory in Lectures

The epithelial barrier theory and its associated diseases
‍

Sun N, Ogulur I, Mitamura Y, et al.

Epithelial barrier dysfunction and associated diseases in companion animals: Differences and similarities between humans and animals and research needs

Ardicli S, Ardicli O, Yazici D, et al.

Epithelial barrier theory in the context of nutrition and environmental exposure in athletes

Kistler W, Villiger M, Villiger B, et al.

Latest Publications

Postbiotics and Nicotinamide Utilize Distinct Mechanisms to Improve Skin Barrier Integrity, Inflammation, and Keratinocyte Differentiation

Y. Pat, D. Yazici, H. Babayev, et al.

Integrating skin barrier measurements with omics and machine learning, we found that postbiotics and NAM regulate skin homeostasis through distinct, strain- and dose-dependent mechanisms. Postbiotics primarily modulate skin barrier function by promoting keratinocyte differentiation and suppressing inflammation. Together, integrated functional, molecular, and machine learning analyses identify key pathways underlying skin barrier regulation. EIS, electrical impedance spectroscopy; ETV4, ETS translocation variant 4; KRT81, keratin 81; LATS2, large tumor suppressor kinase 2; LC–MS, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry; mM, millimolar; NAM, nicotinamide; NOTCH1, neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 1; OVOL2, ovo-like zinc finger 2; RNA-seq, RNA sequencing; w/v, weight/volume.

Cellular Stress, Inflammation and Barrier Damage in Gut Epithelial Cells Caused by Aspartame

Y. Pat, D. Yazici, C. Zeyneloglu, et al.

This study shows that aspartame, at dietary-relevant doses, induces cytotoxicity, cellular distress associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress, oxidative stress, DNA replication and repair mechanism disturbance culminating in epithelial barrier damage. Aspartame triggers NF-κB activation via induction of oxidative stress, leading to proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine release. Aspartame metabolites synergistically contribute to cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and epithelial barrier disruption.

Lectures

Epithelial Barrier Theory in 9 Lectures

Publications

Key publications

Public Information

Redefining Toxicity and Clean

Latest Videos

How to avoid toxic substances, emulsifiers and food additives?

Epithelial Barrier Theory: The Development of Allergic, Autoimmune and Many Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

Micro- and Nanoplastics - Part 7

Explore more Videos

The Epithelial Barrier Theory is a comprehensive explanation for the global, epidemic-level rise in chronic health conditions over the past 65 years. The theory, postulated by Akdis, proposes that exposure to toxic substances introduced by industrialization and modern lifestyle changes disrupts the epithelial barrier of the skin, upper and lower airways, and gut mucosa and causes microbial dysbiosis triggering an inflammatory immune response that can initiate or aggravate many chronic inflammatory diseases.

All rights reserved.