I-FABP is released into the circulation when the enterocyte membrane is damaged and consequently has been proposed as a biomarker for gastrointestinal injury. Padar et al. (2021) and Reintam Blaser et al. (2021) did not find a significant association between I-FABP and GI dysfunction. However, Greis et al. (2017) noted a significant association between I-FABP levels and delayed gastric emptying and Matsumoto et al. (2017) demonstrated increased levels of I-FABP in patients with shock bowel, with significantly increased rates of enteral feeding intolerance in these patients.
References:
Padar M, Starkopf J, Starkopf L, Forbes A, Hiesmayr M, Jakob SM, et al. Enteral nutrition and dynamics of citrulline and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein in adult ICU patients. Clin Nutr ESPEN 2021;45:322e32.
Reintam Blaser A, Padar M, M€ andul M, Elke G, Engel C, Fischer K, et al. Development of the Gastrointestinal Dysfunction Score (GIDS) for critically ill patients – a prospective multicenter observational study (iSOFA study). Clin Nutr 2021 Aug;40(8):4932e40.
Greis C, Rasuly Z, Janosi RA, Kordelas L, Beelen DW, Liebregts T. Intestinal T lymphocyte homing is associated with gastric emptying and epithelial barrier function in critically ill: a prospective observational study. Crit Care 2017 Mar 22;21(1):70.
Matsumoto S, Sekine K, Funaoka H, Funabiki T, Akashi T, Hayashida K, et al. Clinical evaluation of “shock bowel” using intestinal fatty acid binding protein. Shock 2017 Jan;47(1):100-6.