title: Omega-3 fatty acids inhibit an increase of proinflammatory cytokines in patients with active Crohn's disease compared with omega-6 fatty acids.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids given orally may reduce the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and hereby downregulate the inflammatory process.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects of enteral fatty acids, in the form of Impact Powder (Novartis, Switzerland), as adjuvant therapy to corticosteroid treatment on the proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine profiles in patients with active Crohn's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured in plasma from 31 patients with active Crohn's disease. Patients were randomized for oral intake of omega-3 fatty acid (3-Impact Powder) or omega-6 fatty acids (6-Impact Powder). Clinical and biochemical markers of inflammation were studied at baseline and after 5 and 9 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Within the 3-Impact Powder group, no significant changes in concentrations of interleukin-6, interferon-gamma, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interleukin-2, interleukin-5 and interleukin-10, whereas a significant differences in concentration of interleukin-1beta and interleukin-4 were observed during therapy. Within the 6-Impact Powder group a significant changes in concentrations of interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, interferon-gamma, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-5 and interleukin-10 were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 3-Impact Powder showed immunomodulatory properties and might inhibit an increase of proinflammatory cytokines in contrast to the 6-Impact Powder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Vejle Hospital, Vejle, Denmark. anenie@vs.vejleamt.dk
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: L G M
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eivindson
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Grønbaek
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vind
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hougaard
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Skogstrand
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Munkholm
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Brandslund
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hey
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone