Nutritional regulation of bacterial-induced colitis by conjugated linoleic acid

Bassaganya-Riera, J., R. Hontecillas, D.R. Zimmerman, D.L. Hutto, D. U. Ahn, and M.J. Wannemuehler (2002) Nutritional regulation of bacterial-induced colitis by conjugated linoleic acid. The FASEB Journal 16(4): A26 (Abstract #53.4).

Excessive intake of saturated fatty acids and/or linoleic acid enhance mucosal inflammatory responses. While it is now well-accepted that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) prevents diseases with a common inflammatory pathogenesis, no studies are available on its effects on mucosal inflammation. The present study aimed at investigating the anti-inflammatory actions and molecular mechanisms underlying the mucosal health benefits of dietary CLA. Colonic inflammation was triggered by challenging pigs fed either a soybean oil or CLA-supplemented diet with a bacterial pathogen (e.g., Brachyspira hyodysenteriae). Interferon-γ, interleukin-10, and peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) mRNA expression were analyzed in draining lymph nodes and colonic tissue. Supplementation of CLA in the diets prior to the induction of colitis decreased mucosal damage, induced cytokine profiles resembling those of non-infected pigs, and enhanced colonic expression of PPAR-γ. Thus, dietary CLA supplementation prior to the onset of gastrointestinal disease attenuates lesion development by enhancing anti-inflammatory mechanisms through activation of PPAR-γ and regulating cytokine expression. Funded by NPB (01134).