Redox Modulatory protective effects of ω-3 fatty acids rich fish oil against experimental colitis

Abstract:Ulcerative colitis (UC), a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is an immune-modulated disorder characterized by chronic and recurring inflammatory episodes. Oxidative stress and COX pathway of prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis is indispensable to pathogenesis of UC. Any imbalance between PGs can compromise the mucosal homeostasis, leading to mucosal damage and chronic inflammation. However, blocking these PGs using classical Cox inhibitors such as Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can instead aggravate signs of IBD. Therefore, realizing the need for safer and well tolerable alterative treatment approaches, currently, we evaluated the efficacy of n-3 fatty acids rich fish oil in the resolution of UC. Using a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) model of experimental colitis, we have demonstrated that supplementation of fish oil containing 180mg EPA and 120mg DHA for 1 month relieved the signs (diarrhea, bloody stools, weight loss) of colitis-associated inflammation. To understand the biop...