About this Research Topic
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), represented mainly by Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic relapsing intestinal inflammatory disease, whose incidence is increasing worldwide. It is estimated that approximately 0.2% of the European population is living with IBD at the present time. The etiology of IBD is quite complex involving environmental, genetic, and immune factors. As this is a chronic condition with no permanent cure and several symptoms, it leads to an impaired quality of life. This makes the need to identify new biomarkers and develop a long-term effective treatment urgent. Apart from medications, the role of diet is of great importance both in the development and management of the disease. Although there is some epidemiological data and evidence from studies on animal models and humans, more dietary interventions are necessary to shed light on this area and provide further evidence-based dietary recommendations.
Dietary lipids are important energy sources, critical components of cell membranes, and vital signaling molecules implicated in chronic intestinal inflammation, including IBD. Diets rich in saturated fatty acids (SFA), trans fatty acids (TFA), and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids are linked with chronic inflammation and altered microbiota composition contributing to IBD pathogenesis and clinical course. Furthermore, lipid-mediated signaling has been one of the epicenters of research in mucosal immunity over the past two decades. The resolution of inflammation is regulated by several lipid mediators, which inhibit neutrophil migration, release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and promote clearance of apoptotic cells, and microorganisms. Finally, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced in the gut have attracted scientific interest due to their anti-inflammatory effects that may have positive implications in the management of inflammation-related diseases, such as IBD.
This Research Topic aims to enhance our understanding of the role of fatty acids and lipid mediators in the development and management of IBD. We welcome Original Research, and Reviews, related but not limited to the following:
- Epidemiological, pre-clinical, and clinical studies on the effect of fatty acids in IBD
- The impact of lipid mediators on the resolution of inflammation in IBD
- Lipid receptors and their role in immune response in IBD
- Exploitation of the role of SCFA in IBD
- Identification of potential molecular mechanisms underlying the above effects on intestinal inflammation
Dietary lipids are important energy sources, critical components of cell membranes, and vital signaling molecules implicated in chronic intestinal inflammation, including IBD. Diets rich in saturated fatty acids (SFA), trans fatty acids (TFA), and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids are linked with chronic inflammation and altered microbiota composition contributing to IBD pathogenesis and clinical course. Furthermore, lipid-mediated signaling has been one of the epicenters of research in mucosal immunity over the past two decades. The resolution of inflammation is regulated by several lipid mediators, which inhibit neutrophil migration, release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and promote clearance of apoptotic cells, and microorganisms. Finally, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced in the gut have attracted scientific interest due to their anti-inflammatory effects that may have positive implications in the management of inflammation-related diseases, such as IBD.
This Research Topic aims to enhance our understanding of the role of fatty acids and lipid mediators in the development and management of IBD. We welcome Original Research, and Reviews, related but not limited to the following:
- Epidemiological, pre-clinical, and clinical studies on the effect of fatty acids in IBD
- The impact of lipid mediators on the resolution of inflammation in IBD
- Lipid receptors and their role in immune response in IBD
- Exploitation of the role of SCFA in IBD
- Identification of potential molecular mechanisms underlying the above effects on intestinal inflammation
Keywords: fatty acids, lipid mediators, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, IBD
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