SHARK FIN ENRICHED DIET PREVENTS MUCOSAL LIPID ABNORMALITIES IN EXPERIMENTAL ACUTE COLITIS

Marine lipids contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) which has anti-infla mmatory effects. The aim of this research was to study, using the dext ran sulfate induced acute colitis (AC) model, the effect of an EPA-ric h shark fin supplemented diet on the mucosal Lipid composition. The hi stology score increased in AC (p < 0.05), but only slightly in the EPA group. Similarly, colonic permeability to a intraluminally instilled water-soluble contrast medium significantly increased in the AC group, but not in EPA group. As compared with controls, the AC group showed lower levels of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, free f atty acid C20:5, and PL-FA C18:1 and C18:2 and higher levels of sphing omyelin, lysophosphatidylcholine, and C18:1 and free fatty acid C20:4 (p < 0.01) after 2 and 7 days. In the EPA group sphinogmyelin and lyso phosphatidylcholine slightly increased and free fatty acid C20:4 decre ased (p < 0.05) after 7 days, and no PL-FA change occurred. This study confirms the protective properties of EPA-rich marine food. EPA-enric hed diet is protecting the colonic mucosa from the early derangements of lipid components occurring in this experimental AC model. This effe ct is likely to contribute to maintain an effective mucosal lining bar rier.