title: Salmon diet in patients with active ulcerative colitis reduced the simple clinical colitis activity index and increased the anti-inflammatory fatty acid index--a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Data concerning the anti-inflammatory effect of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are inconsistent. Salmon fillet contains n-3 PUFAs and bioactive peptides that may improve its effects compared to fish oil alone. We assessed the efficacy of a salmon-rich diet in patients with mild ulcerative colitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 8-week intervention pilot study was designed to assess the effects of 600 grams Atlantic salmon consumption weekly in 12 UC patients. Simple clinical colitis activity index (SCCAI), a dietary questionnaire, sigmoidoscopy, selected serum inflammatory markers, fecal calprotectin, and plasma and rectal biopsy fatty acid profiles were assessed before and after intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The levels of C20:4n-6 arachidonic acid in biopsies after dietary intervention were correlated with histology and endoscopy scores. The concentrations of n-3 PUFAs, C20:5n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid, C22:6n-3 docosahexaenoic acid, and the n-3/n-6 ratio increased in plasma and rectal biopsies. The anti-inflammatory fatty acid index (AIFAI) increased both in biopsies and plasma accompanied with a significantly reduced SCCAI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on evidence of SCCAI and AIFAI and a tendency of decreased levels of CRP and homocysteine, intake of Atlantic salmon may have beneficial effects on disease activity in patients with mild ulcerative colitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway. grto@sus.no
authors.forename: Tore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Grimstad
authors.forename: Rolf K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Berge
authors.forename: Pavol
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bohov
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skorve
authors.forename: Lasse
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gøransson
authors.forename: Roald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Omdal
authors.forename: Ole G
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Aasprong
authors.forename: Margaretha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haugen
authors.forename: Helle M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Meltzer
authors.forename: Trygve
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hausken
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000097:blood*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004032:Diet; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012007:Rectum / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012474:Salmon; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated