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Methyl deficient diet aggravates experimental colitis in rats
Min Chen1, Laurent Peyrin-Biroulet, Amandine George
1Inserm U954, Medical faculty and CHU of Nancy, Nancy-Université, Nancy, France.
Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
|January 5, 2011
Summary
Maternal methyl-deficient diet (MDD) exacerbates experimental colitis in rat pups. Folate and vitamin B12 deficiency worsened inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms and altered key molecular pathways in the colon.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Nutrition Science
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) involve complex environmental and genetic factors.
- Low vitamin B12 and folate levels are linked to increased IBD risk in populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of a methyl-deficient diet (MDD) on experimental colitis.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which folate and vitamin B12 deficiency affect IBD.
Main Methods:
- A methyl-deficient diet (folate, vitamin B12, choline) was administered to pregnant and lactating rats.
- Rat pups were subjected to dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced colitis.
- Colonic mucosa was analyzed for apoptosis, oxidant stress, and inflammatory markers.
Main Results:
- MDD led to decreased plasma vitamin B12 and folate, and increased homocysteine in pups.
- DSS-induced colitis was significantly more severe in MDD-exposed pups.
- MDD pups showed altered expression of apoptosis-related proteins (caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2) and increased pro-inflammatory pathways (TNF-α, p38, PLA2, COX-2).
Conclusions:
- Methyl-deficient diet exacerbates experimental colitis, suggesting folate and/or vitamin B12 deficiency aggravates IBD.
- These findings highlight the importance of addressing vitamin B12 and folate deficits in IBD patients.
