Nutritional Lipids and Mucosal Inflammation

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic relapsing inflammation in the intestine. Given their role in regulation of inflammation, long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) represent a potential supplementary therapeutic approach to current drug regimens used for IBD. Mechanistically, there is ample evidence for an anti‐inflammatory and pro‐resolution effect of long‐chain n‐3 PUFAs after they incorporate into cell membrane phospholipids. They disrupt membrane rafts and when released from the membrane suppress inflammatory signaling by activating PPAR‐γ and free fatty acid receptor 4; furthermore, they shift the lipid mediator profile from pro‐inflammatory eicosanoids to specialized pro‐resolving mediators. The allocation of long‐chain n‐3 PUFAs also leads to a higher microbiome diversity in the gut, increases short‐chain fatty acid‐producing bacteria, and improves intestinal barrier function by sealing epithelial tight junctions. In line with these mechanistic studies, most epidemiological studies support a beneficial effect of long‐chain n‐3 PUFAs intake on reducing the incidence of IBD. However, the results from intervention trials on the prevention of relapse in IBD patients show no or only a marginal effect of long‐chain n‐3 PUFAs supplementation. In light of the current literature, international recommendations are supported that adequate diet‐derived n‐3 PUFAs might be beneficial in maintaining remission in IBD patients.

Lactobacillus Alleviates Colitis Caused by Chemotherapy Via Biofilm Formation

“…LGG alleviates gut permeability by up-upregulating the expression of tight junction genes Dysfunction of the gut epithelial barrier is a hallmark of in ammatory intestinal diseases. The intestinal epithelial barrier is maintained by tight junctions that connect adjacent epithelial cells and seal the paracellular space 23 . We tested whether LGG may enhance the gut barrier function to protect the intestine from docetaxel-induced colitis.…”

Nutrition—or Lack Thereof—As a Source of Gut Inflammation: Evidence from Basic Science and Clinical Studies

“…In fact, there is ample evidence showing that long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids namely, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, are powerful anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving agents not only in the bowel but the whole body, which is reviewed by Wawrzyniak and colleagues. [9] The final four contributions in this special issue discuss current dietary controversies or specific dietary approaches, namely the role of gluten and fermentable sugars, in the context of IBD. While Weaver and Herfarth [10] recommend a gluten-free diet in patients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity, such an approach does not seem to be of benefit in the general IBD population, where Ajamian and colleagues [11] suggest a promising diet low in fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide and polyols (the so-called FODMAP diet) to control gastrointestinal symptoms.…”

“…In fact, there is ample evidence showing that long‐chain n ‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids namely, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, are powerful anti‐inflammatory and pro‐resolving agents not only in the bowel but the whole body, which is reviewed by Wawrzyniak and colleagues. [ 9 ]…”

Disrupted Lipid Raft Shuttling of FcεRI by n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Is Associated With Ligation of G Protein-Coupled Receptor 120 (GPR120) in Human Mast Cell Line LAD2

“…n-3 PUFA may play important roles in various diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7). EPA and DHA are concentrated in neural tissues including brain and retina as well as in human milk, plasma, mucosa, and sperm (2,(8)(9)(10)(11).…”

“…Both EPA and DHA can be metabolized to produce anti-inflammatory molecules also called resolvins and protectins, capable of dampening inflammation (12,14). Since n-3 PUFA have been associated with alleviated mucosal inflammation in the context of inflammatory bowel disease and the airway mucosa is also enriched with n-3 PUFA (10,11), these molecules could potentially play an anti-inflammatory function in airway inflammatory diseases.…”