Short-term treatment with eicosapentaenoic acid improves inflammation and affects colonic differentiation markers and microbiota in patients with ulcerative colitis

Sci Rep. 2017 Aug 7;7(1):7458. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-07992-1.

Abstract

Patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis (UC) have an increased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. In this pilot study we evaluated the effect of Eicosapentaenoic acid as free fatty acid (EPA-FFA) supplementation on mucosal disease activity, colonic differentiation markers and microbiota composition in UC patients. Twenty long-standing UC patients in stable clinical remission and with fecal calprotectin (FC) > 150 µg/g were enrolled (T0) and supplemented with EPA-FFA 2 g/daily for 90 days (T3). Endoscopic and histologic disease activities were measured by Mayo and Geboes scores, respectively. HES1, KLF4, STAT3, IL-10 and SOCS3 levels were determined using western blotting and qRT-PCR, while phospho-STAT3 levels were assessed by western blotting. Goblet cells were stained by Alcian blue. Microbiota analyses were performed on both fecal and colonic samples. Nineteen patients completed the study; seventeen (89.5%) were compliant. EPA-FFA treatment reduced FC levels at T3. Patients with FC > 150 µg/g at T3 (n = 2) were assumed as non-responders. EPA-FFA improved endoscopic and histological inflammation and induced IL-10, SOCS3, HES1 and KLF4 in compliant and responder patients. Importantly, long-term UC-driven microbiota composition was partially redressed by EPA-FFA. In conclusion, EPA-FFA supplementation reduced mucosal inflammation, promoted goblet cells differentiation and modulated intestinal microbiota composition in long-standing UC patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / drug therapy*
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / immunology*
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / metabolism
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / microbiology
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / administration & dosage*
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / pharmacology
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / administration & dosage*
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-10 / genetics
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Kruppel-Like Factor 4
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / metabolism
  • Male
  • Microbiota / drug effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Pilot Projects
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein / genetics
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein / metabolism
  • Transcription Factor HES-1 / genetics
  • Transcription Factor HES-1 / metabolism
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
  • IL10 protein, human
  • KLF4 protein, human
  • Kruppel-Like Factor 4
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex
  • SOCS3 protein, human
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein
  • Transcription Factor HES-1
  • Interleukin-10
  • HES1 protein, human
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid