Decreased oxidative stress in patients with ulcerative colitis supplemented with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids.
OBJECTIVE
The potential pathogenicity of free radicals may have a pivotal role in ulcerative colitis. Fish oil omega-3 fatty acids exert anti-inflammatory effects on patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), but the precise mechanism of the action of fish oil on oxidative stress is still controversial. The aim of the present work was to verify the blood oxidative stress in patients with UC and determine whether the association of sulfasalazine to fish oil omega-3 fatty acids is more effective than isolated use of sulfasalazine to reduce the oxidative stress.


METHODS
Nine patients (seven female and two male; mean age = 40 +/- 11 y) with mild or moderate active UC were studied in a randomized crossover design. In addition to their usual medication (2 g/d of sulfasalazine), they received fish oil omega-3 fatty acids (4.5 g/d) or placebo for 2-mo treatment periods that were separated by 2 mo, when they only received sulfasalazine. Nine healthy individuals served as control subjects to study the oxidative stress status. Disease activity was assessed by laboratory indicators (C-reactive protein, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, alpha1-antitrypsin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, albumin, hemoglobin, and platelet count), sigmoidoscopy, and histology scores. Analysis of oxidative stress was assessed by plasma chemiluminescence and erythrocyte lipid peroxidation, both induced by tert butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH) and by plasma malondialdehyde. Antioxidant status was assayed by total plasma antioxidant capacity (TRAP) and microsomal lipid peroxidation inhibition (LPI). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase erythrocyte enzymatic activities were also determined.


RESULTS
No significant changes were observed in any laboratory indicator or in the sigmoidoscopy or histology scores, with the exception of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which decreased with both treatments. Oxidative stress was demonstrated by significant decreases in TRAP and LPI levels, increased chemiluminescence induced by t-BuOOH, and higher SOD activity in patients with UC. Treatment with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids reverted the chemiluminescence induced by t-BuOOH and LPI to baseline levels but that did not occur when patients received only sulfasalazine. Levels of plasma malondialdehyde, erythrocyte lipid peroxidation, and catalase were not different from those in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated that plasma oxidative stress occurs in patients with UC, and there was a significant decrease when the patients used sulfasalazine plus fish oil omega-3 fatty acids. However, there was no improvement in most laboratory indicators, sigmoidoscopy, and histology scores. The results suggested that omega-3 fatty acids may act as free radical scavengers protecting the patients against the overall effect of oxidative stress.
Barbosa
Décio Sabbatini
DS
Laboratory of Biochemistry, Londrina State University, Londrina, Parana, Brazil.
Cecchini
Rubens
R
El Kadri
Mirian Zebian
MZ
Rodríguez
Maria Aparecida Marchesan
MA
Burini
Roberto Carlos
RC
Dichi
Isaias
I
D000328:Adult; D001799:Blood Sedimentation / Q000187:drug effects; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000737:chemistry; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012460:Sulfasalazine