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Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis
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Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) alleviates inflammation and damage induced by experimental colitis

Leman Arslan Ariturk1, Sumeyye Cilingir2, Meltem Kolgazi2

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.

European Journal of Nutrition
|August 6, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) significantly reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in a colitis model. DHA treatment improved gut barrier function and may serve as a therapeutic strategy for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology and Nutrition
  • Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Research

Background:

  • Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic conditions causing significant patient morbidity.
  • Current therapeutic strategies for IBD often have limitations, necessitating the exploration of novel agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the therapeutic potential of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in mitigating inflammation and oxidative stress in a chemically induced colitis model.
  • To assess DHA's effects on intestinal membrane permeability and barrier function markers.

Main Methods:

  • A trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis model was established in Wistar albino rats.
  • Animals were treated with DHA (600 mg/kg/day) or saline via gavage for six weeks.
  • Colon tissues were analyzed for macroscopic and microscopic damage, inflammatory markers (MPO, IL-6, TNF-α), oxidative stress markers (MDA, GSH, TAS, TOS), and tight junction proteins (occludin, ZO-1).

Main Results:

  • TNBS-induced colitis significantly increased tissue damage, oxidative stress, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels while decreasing antioxidant capacity and tight junction protein expression.
  • DHA administration significantly ameliorated colitis-induced damage, reduced inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, and restored antioxidant status.
  • DHA treatment upregulated occludin and ZO-1 expressions, indicating improved intestinal barrier function.

Conclusions:

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) exhibits significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in a colitis model.
  • DHA effectively reduces reactive oxygen species, enhances antioxidant capacity, and preserves intestinal mucosal integrity.
  • DHA's ability to improve tight junction protein expression suggests its potential as a therapeutic agent for IBD.
Abstract

Keywords:
DHAExperimental colitisIBDInflammationIntestinal barrier

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