Gluten-containing cereals are a main food staple present in the daily
human diet, including wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten intake is
associated with the development of celiac disease (CD) and related
disorders such as diabetes mellitus type I, depression, and
schizophrenia. However, until now, there is no consent about the
possible deleterious effects of gluten intake because of often failing
symptoms even in persons with proven CD. Asymptomatic CD (ACD) is
present in the majority of affected patients and is characterized by
the absence of classical gluten-intolerance signs, such as diarrhea,
bloating, and abdominal pain. Nevertheless, these individuals very
often develop diseases that can be related with gluten intake. Gluten
can be degraded into several morphine-like substances, named gluten
exorphins. These compounds have proven opioid effects and could mask
the deleterious effects of gluten protein on gastrointestinal lining
and function. Here we describe a putative mechanism, explaining how
gluten could \u201cmask\u201d its own toxicity by exorphins that are
produced through gluten protein digestion