Biomarkers of Intestinal Permeability and its Modulation

The intestinal barrier or the 'leaky gut' has been identified as a common ailment in a multitude of human conditions, particularly in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. At present, our ability to measure and improve its function are limited. This thesis examines methods in which intestinal barrier function can be measured and assesses the utility of transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation as a potential novel therapy for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The results from this thesis indicate that transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation can improve the function of the intestinal barrier.