Nutrition and chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Nutritional Science
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Nutrition significantly influences human health and plays a role in inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs).
• Current evidence linking nutrition and IRDs is inconsistent, with flawed clinical trials.
• Emerging research suggests dietary micronutrients interact with gut microbiota to modulate immune responses, potentially contributing to disease pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the complex interactions between nutrition, gut microbiota, and immune responses in the context of IRDs.
• To highlight the need for improved research methodologies in the field of nutrition and IRDs.
• To identify potential avenues for diagnostic, prophylactic, or therapeutic interventions targeting these interactions.

Main Methods:

• Review of epidemiological and interventional studies on nutrition and IRDs.
• Examination of experimental evidence on micronutrient-diet-microbiota-immune interactions.
• Discussion of the utility of high-throughput technologies (-omics) and systems biology approaches.
• Emphasis on the importance of concomitant cohort studies combining clinical and laboratory data.

Main Results:

• Micronutrients may influence intestinal and systemic immunity through interactions with the gut microbiota.
• These interactions could play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases.
• The direct relevance of animal and in vitro studies to human IRDs remains unclear.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the intricate relationship between diet, gut microbiota, and immune function is crucial for IRDs research.
• Novel approaches, including -omics and well-designed cohort studies, are necessary to advance the field.
• Targeting nutrient-microbiota-immune interactions holds potential for future IRD management strategies.