The risk of essential fatty acid insufficiency in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: fatty acid profile of phospholipids in serum and in colon biopsy specimen

Abstract

Introduction The aim of the study was to address the fatty acid (FA) status and its relationship with disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Material and methods FA levels of phospholipids fraction in serum and colon-biopsy specimen were measured in 17 patients with IBD. Results A negative correlation between the histological activity of inflammation of the disease and the ratio of polyunsaturated FAs/no polyunsaturated FAs was observed. Moreover, the level of that ratio was lower in patients with IBDs as compared to control. Conclusions The FA profile in serum and in colon-biopsy specimen in patients with IBD is characteristic for essential fatty acid insufficiency.

Keywords

• fatty acids
• inflammatory bowel disease
• essential fatty acid insufficiency
• serum
• colon biopsy specimen