Abstract
Enteral nutrition seems to play a significant role in the treatment of both adults and children with active Crohn’s disease, and to a lesser degree in the treatment of patients with active ulcerative colitis. The inclusion of some special factors in the enteral nutrition formulas might increase the rate of the efficacy. Actually, enteral nutrition enriched in Transforming Growth Factor-β reduced the activity index and maintained remission in patients with Crohn’s disease. In addition, a number of experimental animal studies have shown that colostrum exerts a significantly positive result. Probiotics of a special type and a certain dosage could also reduce the inflammatory process in patients with active ulcerative colitis. Therefore, the addition of these factors in an enteral nutrition formula might increase its effectiveness. Although the use of these formulas is not supported by large clinical trials, it could be argued that their administration in selected cases as an exclusive diet or in combination with the drugs used in patients with inflammatory bowel disease could benefit the patient. In this review, the authors provide an update on the role of enteral nutrition, supplemented with Transforming Growth Factor-β, colostrum, and probiotics in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Highlights
Enteral nutrition (EN) can reduce Crohn’s disease (CD) activity and maintain remission in both children and adults [1,2]
Studies concerning the administration of EN formulas containing Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGFβ) in both adults and children with active and inactive CD have been previously published, their promising results were based on a small number of patients [6,7,8]
Experimental data concerning the role of colostrums in ameliorating chemical colitis have been published during the last years, all of which confirmed the beneficial effect of colostrum and, at the same time, clarified the various mechanisms being responsible for the improvement of experimental colitis (Table 2)
Summary
Enteral nutrition (EN) can reduce Crohn’s disease (CD) activity and maintain remission in both children and adults [1,2]. Studies concerning the administration of EN formulas containing TGFβ in both adults and children with active and inactive CD have been previously published, their promising results were based on a small number of patients [6,7,8]. In this review the authors analyze the theoretical basis of adding TGFβ, colostrum, probiotics, and other bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, short chain fatty acids, and bioactive peptides, in an EN formula.
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