title: Lycopene, Lutein and Zeaxanthin May Reduce Faecal Blood, Mucus and Pus but not Abdominal Pain in Individuals with Ulcerative Colitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The main symptom of ulcerative colitis is diarrhoea, which is often accompanied by painful tenesmus and faecal blood and mucus. It sometimes co-occurs with abdominal pain, fever, feeling of fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. Some dietary factors have been indicated as important in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. The aim of the study was to analyse the association between retinoid intake (total vitamin A, retinol, β-carotene, α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin) and ulcerative colitis symptoms (abdominal pain, faecal blood, faecal mucus, faecal pus) in individuals with ulcerative colitis in remission.
  
  
  METHODS
  Assessment of diet was based on self-reported data from each patient's dietary records taken over a period of three typical, random days (2 weekdays and 1 day of the weekend).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 56 individuals with ulcerative colitis in remission (19 males and 37 females) were recruited for the study. One in every four individuals with ulcerative colitis in remission was characterised as having inadequate vitamin A intake. Higher lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin intakes in individuals with ulcerative colitis in remission were associated with lower faecal blood, mucus and pus but not with lower incidence of abdominal pain. Higher carotene intake in individuals with ulcerative colitis in remission may contribute to higher incidence of faecal mucus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Optimising intake of specific retinoids may enhance disease control in individuals with ulcerative colitis. Prospective studies, including patient reported and objective outcomes, are required to confirm this.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dietetics, Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), 159c Nowoursynowska Str., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland. dominika_glabska@sggw.pl.
authors.forename: Dominika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Głąbska
authors.affiliation: Department of Organization and Consumption Economics, Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), 159c Nowoursynowska Str., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland. dominika_guzek@sggw.pl.
authors.forename: Dominika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guzek
authors.affiliation: Department of Dietetics, Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), 159c Nowoursynowska Str., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland. paulina_zakrzewska@sggw.pl.
authors.forename: Paulina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zakrzewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Dietetics, Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), 159c Nowoursynowska Str., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland. dariusz_wlodarek@sggw.pl.
authors.forename: Dariusz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Włodarek
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Gastroenterological and Oncological Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, 1a Banacha Str., 02-097 Warsaw, Poland. gustaw.lech@wum.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Gustaw
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lech
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004032:Diet; D005243:Feces; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014975:Lutein / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077276:Lycopene; D008297:Male; D008551:Melena; D008875:Middle Aged; D009093:Mucus; D013492:Suppuration; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage; D065146:Zeaxanthins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D065146:Zeaxanthins; D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids; D000077276:Lycopene; D014975:Lutein
keywords: faecal blood; faecal mucus; lutein and zeaxanthin; lycopene; ulcerative colitis; vitamin A