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Antioxidant Therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: How Far Have We Come and How Close Are We?

Summary

This research examines how antioxidant treatments might help people with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The study found that antioxidants can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the gut, potentially offering a complementary treatment option for IBD patients. Impacts on everyday life: – Provides evidence that natural antioxidants could be safely used alongside conventional IBD treatments – Suggests dietary changes incorporating antioxidant-rich foods might benefit IBD patients – Highlights the potential for new treatment options that could improve quality of life for IBD sufferers – Demonstrates the importance of considering gut health in overall wellness – Shows promise for reducing dependence on conventional medications that often have significant side effects

Background

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), primarily consisting of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, represent a significant public health challenge with unclear etiology and limited efficacy of traditional pharmacological treatments. The condition is characterized by changes in the immune system, gut microbiota, and external environment combined with genetic vulnerability. While IBD incidence has stabilized in developed nations, it continues to rise in developing countries.

Objective

To analyze the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of antioxidant therapies that have been studied for IBD in both human and murine models, evaluating their effectiveness and potential as therapeutic options.

Results

From 925 initial publications, 368 articles met inclusion criteria – 344 animal studies and 24 human studies. The most investigated antioxidants were polyphenols and active compounds from medicinal plants (70.3%). The review found strong connections between oxidative stress and inflammation in IBD, particularly in studies examining nuclear factor kappa B and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathways. Lipid peroxidation was the most studied oxidative damage marker, while protein damage was rarely investigated. The relationship between antioxidants and gut microbiota was examined in 103 animal studies.

Conclusion

While there has been an increase in clinical trials assessing oxidative stress markers in humans since 2015, significant gaps remain in understanding antioxidant therapy for IBD. Key findings show antioxidants primarily enhance defenses like SOD and TAS/TAC while protecting against lipid membrane oxidative damage. Antioxidants appear safe and effective for non-hospitalized IBD patients. However, more rigorous clinical trials are needed to establish clear guidelines and determine the real impact of antioxidant therapy in these patients.
  • Published in:Antioxidants,
  • Study Type:Systematic Review,
  • Source: 10.3390/antiox13111369
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