Figure 1 Influence of zinc carnosine (ZnC) on changes in small bowel permeability caused by indomethacin. Healthy volunteers (n = 10) participated in a double‐blind randomised controlled crossover protocol. Each arm comprised two baseline urine collections, followed by a third at the end of that study period. In each arm, volunteers took ZnC (37.5 mg twice daily, orally) or placebo for 7 days, with indomethacin for the final 5 days. Upper panel of the figure shows protocol and lower graph shows individual results expressed as lactulose:rhamnose (L:R) ratios. Black bars show mean values for each stage. When taking placebo, volunteers had a threefold increase in L:R ratios in response to indomethacin administration (p<0.01), whereas no increase was seen if ZnC was also being taken. NSAID, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug.