Summary 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. Aim : 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‐γ, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, interleukin‐2, interleukin‐5 and interleukin‐10, whereas a significant differences in concentration of interleukin‐1β and interleukin‐4 were observed during therapy. Within the 6‐Impact Powder group a significant changes in concentrations of interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6, interferon‐γ, 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.

The present study shows no difference in alcohol absorption between CD patients and controls. The alcoholic drinks Smirnoff Ice and Elephant beer have an increased effect on self-reported abdominal pain in CD patients, probably due to the high sugar content in these drinks.

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