Abstract
Carrageenan (CGN) is a high molecular weight polysaccharide extracted from red seaweeds, composed of D-galactose residues linked in β-1,4 and α-1,3 galactose-galactose bond, widely used as a food additive in processed foods for its properties as a thickener, gelling agent, emulsifier, and stabilizer. In recent years, with the spread of the Western diet (WD), its consumption has increased. Nonetheless, there is a debate on its safety. CGN is extensively used as an inflammatory and adjuvant agent in vitro and in animal experimental models for the investigation of immune processes or to assess the activity of anti-inflammatory drugs. CGN can activate the innate immune pathways of inflammation, alter the gut microbiota composition and the thickness of the mucus barrier. Clinical evidence suggests that CGN is involved in the pathogenesis and clinical management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), indeed food-exclusion diets can be an effective therapy for disease remission. Moreover, specific IgE to the oligosaccharide α-Gal has been associated with allergic reactions commonly referred to as the “α-Gal syndrome”. This review aims to discuss the role of carrageenan in inflammatory bowel diseases and allergic reactions following the current evidence. Furthermore, as no definitive data are available on the safety and the effects of CGN, we suggest gaps to be filled and advise to limit the human exposure to CGN by reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
Highlights
Over the last decades, intestinal and systemic immune-inflammatory disorders have increased, due to several factors including dietary habits
Observational studies suggest an inverse association between dietary polyphenols intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease, inflammatory and metabolic disorders and some types of cancer. This finding may be explained by the fact that they participate in several cell signaling pathways, in the downregulation of the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and in the reactive oxygen species production
The results showed a reduction in Lactobacillales, to a significant decrease in the Streptococcus genus
Summary
Intestinal and systemic immune-inflammatory disorders have increased, due to several factors including dietary habits. There are still limited data on the daily amount of food additives in the diet of paediatric population with IBD, carrageenan is one of the most frequently consumed ones, with mean exposures per day equal to 0.58 ± 0.63 in a paediatric group with Crohn’s disease [2]. Carrageenan is a family of high molecular weight, sulphated β-1,4 polysaccharides [1], bond [4] It is isolated from the cell walls of red seaweeds [5], especially from Chron composed of D-galactose residues linked in alternating β-1,4 and α-1,3 galactose-galactose crispus, Gigartinastellata and of Euchema species of class Rhodophyceae [6]. The chemical name of carrageenan esterscoarse of polygalactose, and[7] It appears as CGN no nutritive it is widely used as a food additive High levels of sulfides in the gut have been implicated in initiation of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the large bowel [10]
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