The Role of Dietary Nutrients in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Although the precise etiology of IBD remains incompletely understood, accumulating evidence suggests that various environmental factors, including dietary nutrients, contribute to its pathogenesis. Dietary nutrients are known to have an impact on host physiology and diseases. The interactions between dietary nutrients and intestinal immunity are complex. Dietary nutrients directly regulate the immuno-modulatory function of gut-resident immune cells. Likewise, dietary nutrients shape the composition of the gut microbiota. Therefore, a well-balanced diet is crucial for good health. In contrast, the relationships among dietary nutrients, host immunity and/or the gut microbiota may be perturbed in the context of IBD. Genetic predispositions and gut dysbiosis may affect the utilization of dietary nutrients. Moreover, the metabolism of nutrients in host cells and the gut microbiota may be altered by intestinal inflammation, thereby increasing or decreasing the demand for certain nutrients necessary for the maintenance of immune and microbial homeostasis. Herein, we review the current knowledge of the role dietary nutrients play in the development and the treatment of IBD, focusing on the interplay among dietary nutrients, the gut microbiota and host immune cells. We also discuss alterations in the nutritional metabolism of the gut microbiota and host cells in IBD that can influence the outcome of nutritional intervention. A better understanding of the diet-host-microbiota interactions may lead to new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of IBD.

Circulating Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Metabolites and Its Potential Role in Rheumatoid Arthritis Pathogenesis

“…Additionally, the study of other autoimmune diseases does not help in establishing a link between diet and metabolites with their pro or anti-inflammatory effect. In Crohn's disease, for instance, animal studies suggest the potential beneficial effect of short chain fatty acids, tryptophan, arginine, and glutamine due to their roles in the modulation of the immune system, but no clinical studies have been performed to date [213]. A cross-sectional metabolomics study also found decreased levels of essential PUFA in patients with lupus, but diet was not taken into account in this study [214].…”

Intestinal Permeability, Inflammation and the Role of Nutrients

“…Consequently, host's microbiota ferment DF, resulting in the production of small organic metabolites, mainly short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs, such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate). There is a wide range of bacteria capable of fermenting DF, but according to enzymatic activity, each bacterium has a preferred substrate [100,101]. For the colonocytes, SCFAs are important energy substrates [102] and can also bind G-protein-coupled receptors (such as GPR41, GPR43, and GPR109a), acting as signaling molecules, regulating the immune responses and the differentiation of immune cells.…”

The Influence of Nutrients on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

“…erefore, many studies also indicate the beneficial effect of o-3 above all in UC [28,29]. However, fats (in total) consumed in excess may increase the risk of both CD and UC [30]. Rapeseed oil, linseed oil, and fatty fish (e.g., salmon, mackerel, and sardines) Omega-6 Linoleic acid c-Linoleic acid Sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, and corn oil Table 1: Composition, functions, and sources of dietary fibre according to the division into fractions [9].…”