Scientific Reports (Aug 2017)

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

  • Anna Prossomariti,
  • Eleonora Scaioli,
  • Giulia Piazzi,
  • Chiara Fazio,
  • Matteo Bellanova,
  • Elena Biagi,
  • Marco Candela,
  • Patrizia Brigidi,
  • Clarissa Consolandi,
  • Tiziana Balbi,
  • Pasquale Chieco,
  • Alessandra Munarini,
  • Milena Pariali,
  • Manuela Minguzzi,
  • Franco Bazzoli,
  • Andrea Belluzzi,
  • Luigi Ricciardiello

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-07992-1
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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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.