Oral oligofructose-enriched inulin supplementation in acute ulcerative colitis is well tolerated and associated with lowered faecal calprotectin.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Inulin and oligofructose promote selective growth of saccharolytic bacteria with low inflammatory potential.

OBJECTIVE:

To test the effect of oligofructose-enriched inulin in patients with active ulcerative colitis.

DESIGN:

Prospective, randomized, placebo controlled pilot trial. Eligible patients had been previously in remission with mesalazine as maintenance therapy or no drug, and presented with a relapse of mild to moderate activity. They were treated with mesalazine (3 g/day) and randomly allocated to receive either oligofructose-enriched inulin (12 g/day, p.o., n = 10) or placebo (12 g/day of maltodextrin, p.o., n = 9) for 2 week. Primary endpoint was the anti-inflammatory effect as determined by reduction of calprotectin and human DNA in faeces.

RESULTS:

Rachmilewitz score decreased in both groups, reaching statistical significance at day 14 (P < 0.05). Oligofructose-enriched inulin was well-tolerated and dyspeptic symptoms scale decreased significantly with active treatment but not with placebo. At day 7, an early significant reduction of calprotectin was observed in the group receiving oligofructose-enriched inulin (day 0: 4377 +/- 659 microg/g; day 7: 1033 +/- 393 microg/g, P < 0.05) but not in the placebo group (day 0: 5834 +/- 1563 microg/g; day 7: 4084 +/- 1395 microg/g, n.s.). Changes in faecal concentration of human DNA were not significant.

CONCLUSION:

In active ulcerative colitis, dietary supplementation with oligofructose-enriched inulin is well tolerated and is associated with early reduction in faecal calprotectin.

• Authors: F Casellas, N Borruel, A Torrejón, E Varela, M Antolin, F Guarner, J-R Malagelada
• Journal: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics (Aliment Pharmacol Ther) Vol. 25 Issue 9 Pg. 1061-7 (May 01 2007) ISSN: 0269-2813 [Print] England
• PMID: 17439507 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Drug Combinations
• Gastrointestinal Agents
• Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex
• Oligosaccharides
• oligofructose
• Inulin

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Colitis, Ulcerative (diet therapy, metabolism)
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Combinations
• Feces (chemistry)
• Female
• Gastrointestinal Agents (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Inulin (administration & dosage)
• Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex (metabolism)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Oligosaccharides (administration & dosage)
• Pilot Projects