Omega-3 fatty acids inhibit an increase of proinflammatory cytokines in patients with active Crohn's disease compared with omega-6 fatty acids.
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.
Nielsen
A A
AA
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Vejle Hospital, Vejle, Denmark. anenie@vs.vejleamt.dk
Jørgensen
L G M
LG
Nielsen
J N
JN
Eivindson
M
M
Grønbaek
H
H
Vind
I
I
Hougaard
D M
DM
Skogstrand
K
K
Jensen
S
S
Munkholm
P
P
Brandslund
I
I
Hey
H
H
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
D016207:Cytokines; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone