The anti-inflammatory effects of enteral nutrition.
Enteral nutrition has a positive effect on growth in children with active Crohn's disease. The question arises: is this is due only to improved nutrition? Enteral formulas may also directly reduce inflammation, lowering the expression of cytokines like interleukin (IL)-6 that inhibit growth. Four lines of evidence support the hypothesis that enteral formulas directly lessen inflammation: enteral nutrition directly affects the inflamed intestine; changes in inflammatory markers precede repletion of nutrition status; molecular pathways exist linking changes in luminal contents to the expression of class II MHC genes in intestinal epithelium in animal studies; and enteral formulas have a direct effect on cytokine expression by intestinal epithelial cells.
Centre for Adult & Pediatric Gastroenterology, Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, University of London, United Kingdom. i.r.sanderson@qmul.ac.uk
Ian R
IR
Sanderson
Nicholas M
NM
Croft
D002648:Child; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D009752:Nutritional Status
D016207:Cytokines