Dietary conjugated linoleic acid and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in inflammatory bowel disease

Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2010 Sep;13(5):569-73. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0b013e32833b648e.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a debilitating and widespread immune-mediated illness of unknown etiology. Current treatments are modestly successful and with significant side-effects. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current understanding of mechanisms of action underlying the anti-inflammatory actions of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in IBD.

Recent findings: Nutrition-based interventions that target peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) such as dietary CLA and n-3 PUFA have demonstrated anti-inflammatory efficacy in animal models of IBD. Clinical data on n-3 PUFA in IBD remains generally unimpressive, although results of a recent human study demonstrate that IBD remission can be maintained by maintaining the n-3: n-6 ratio more than 0.65 via n-3 PUFA intervention. In mice, CLA prevented inflammation-driven colorectal cancer by activating PPAR gamma and modulating regulatory T cells and macrophages. CLA is the subject of an ongoing clinical study in Crohn's disease patients.

Summary: Compelling evidence demonstrates that n-3 PUFA and CLA prevent or ameliorate IBD in animal models. However, this basic knowledge has not been translated into novel nutrition-based clinical interventions. For both compounds there is an urgent need for placebo-controlled, large-scale, multicenter clinical trials.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / immunology
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / pharmacology
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / metabolism
  • Linoleic Acids, Conjugated / pharmacology
  • Linoleic Acids, Conjugated / therapeutic use*
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Linoleic Acids, Conjugated
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors