Conjugated linoleic acid modulates immune responses in patients with mild to moderately active Crohn's disease

Background & aims: Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has demonstrated efficacy as an immune modulator and anti-inflammatory compound in mouse and pig models of colitis. We investigated the immunoregulatory efficacy of CLA in patients with mild to moderate Crohn's disease (CD). Methods: Thirteen patients with mild to moderately active CD were enrolled in an open-label study of CIA (6 g/d orally) for 12 weeks. Peripheral blood was collected at baseline. 6 and 12 weeks after treatment initiation for isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells for functional analyses of lymphoproliferation and cytokine production. Disease activity was calculated using the CD activity index (CDAI) and quality of life was assessed using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ). Results: CIA significantly suppressed the ability of peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets to produce IFN-gamma. TNF-alpha and IL-17 and lymphoproliferation at week 12. There was a statistically significant drop in CDAI from 245 to 187 (P = 0.013) and increase in IBDQ from 141 to 165 (P = 0.017) on week 12. Conclusion: Oral CIA administration was well tolerated and suppressed the ability of peripheral blood T cells to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, decreased disease activity and increased the quality of life of patients with CD. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.