CLA and n-3 PUFA differentially modulate clinical activity and colonic PPAR-responsive gene expression in a pig model of experimental IBD.
OBJECTIVE
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been proposed as important pharmaco-nutrients for modulating mucosal immunity and therapeutic responses in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We evaluated the ability of CLA and n-3 PUFA alone or in combination to modulate IBD in a pig model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis.


METHODS
Sixty-four, 15-day-old pigs were used to evaluate the effect of CLA, n-3 PUFA and a 50:50 mixture of CLA and n-3 PUFA on growth, clinical activity and colonic PPAR-responsive gene expression. Diets were formulated to contain: 1.33% soybean oil (control); 1.33% CLA; 1.33% fish oil; or 1.33% of a 50:50 mixture of CLA and fish oil. Intestinal inflammation was induced by an intragastric challenge with DSS on day 42 of dietary supplementation. The colonic expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma), PPAR gamma- and delta-responsive genes, keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) were assayed by quantitative RT-PCR.


RESULTS
The onset of IBD was delayed, colitis less severe and growth suppression attenuated in pigs fed CLA, which correlated with induction of colonic PPAR gamma and its responsive gene PPAR gamma-coactivator-1alpha (PGC1-alpha) and downregulation of TNF-alpha. However, dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFA alone or in combination with CLA resulted in an early onset of disease (i.e., day 2) and faster recovery on days 6 and 7, which correlated with a marked induction of the PPAR delta-responsive gene uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3). CLA and n-3 PUFA acted synergistically to upregulate colonic KGF expression in DSS-challenged pigs but n-3 PUFA blocked CLA-induced PPAR gamma activation.


CONCLUSIONS
Dietary CLA-supplementation upregulated colonic PPAR gamma expression and contributed to delaying the onset of experimental IBD, whereas n-3 PUFA failed to protect from IBD, although it accelerated colonic regeneration and clinical remission by activating PPAR delta.
Bassaganya-Riera
Josep
J
Laboratory of Nutritional Immunology and Molecular Nutrition, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. jbassaga@vt.edu
Hontecillas
Raquel
R
D000818:Animals; D003106:Colon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D004032:Diet; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D044243:Linoleic Acids, Conjugated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D047494:PPAR delta / Q000235:genetics; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000235:genetics; D047492:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013552:Swine; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D044243:Linoleic Acids, Conjugated; D047494:PPAR delta; D047495:PPAR gamma; D047492:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors; D016264:Dextran Sulfate