Oral oligofructose-enriched inulin supplementation in acute ulcerative colitis is well tolerated and associated with lowered faecal calprotectin.
BACKGROUND
Inulin and oligofructose promote selective growth of saccharolytic bacteria with low inflammatory potential.


OBJECTIVE
To test the effect of oligofructose-enriched inulin in patients with active ulcerative colitis.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, placebo controlled pilot trial. Eligible patients had been previously in remission with mesalazine as maintenance therapy or no drug, and presented with a relapse of mild to moderate activity. They were treated with mesalazine (3 g/day) and randomly allocated to receive either oligofructose-enriched inulin (12 g/day, p.o., n = 10) or placebo (12 g/day of maltodextrin, p.o., n = 9) for 2 week. Primary endpoint was the anti-inflammatory effect as determined by reduction of calprotectin and human DNA in faeces.


RESULTS
Rachmilewitz score decreased in both groups, reaching statistical significance at day 14 (P < 0.05). Oligofructose-enriched inulin was well-tolerated and dyspeptic symptoms scale decreased significantly with active treatment but not with placebo. At day 7, an early significant reduction of calprotectin was observed in the group receiving oligofructose-enriched inulin (day 0: 4377 +/- 659 microg/g; day 7: 1033 +/- 393 microg/g, P < 0.05) but not in the placebo group (day 0: 5834 +/- 1563 microg/g; day 7: 4084 +/- 1395 microg/g, n.s.). Changes in faecal concentration of human DNA were not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
In active ulcerative colitis, dietary supplementation with oligofructose-enriched inulin is well tolerated and is associated with early reduction in faecal calprotectin.
Casellas
F
F
Digestive System Research Unit, Unitat d'Atenció Crohn-Colitis, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Ciberehd, Barcelona, Spain. fcasellas@vhebron.net
Borruel
N
N
Torrejón
A
A
Varela
E
E
Antolin
M
M
Guarner
F
F
Malagelada
J-R
JR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007444:Inulin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010865:Pilot Projects
D004338:Drug Combinations; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D009844:Oligosaccharides; C120489:oligofructose; D007444:Inulin