(P147) DIETARY INTAKE OF ODD-CHAIN FATTY ACID REDUCES INFLAMMATION AND ENHANCES GUT INTEGRITY IN IBD MOUSE MODEL

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing, and debilitating inflammatory condition that includes Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). IBD is a complex condition that arises from a combination of multiple factors including the body's immune response, interactions with microorganisms, genetic predispositions, and environmental factors. Emerging research highlights the important role of fatty acids in the development and management of IBD. Pentadecanoic acid, also known as C15:0, is a type of saturated fatty acid that has garnered considerable interest for its potential anti-inflammatory properties, especially in the context of inflammation-related diseases like IBD. This study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory potential of pentadecanoic acid in various mouse models of experimental IBD using the SAMP1/YitFc (SAMP) mouse strain including DSS-induced colitis (14-week-old mice) and chronic ileitis (24-week-old mice). To assess the effect of C:15 in the induced colitis model, we tested two dosages (26 or 52 µg/mouse/day) in 3-week-short-term and 6-week-long-term models and compared them with control groups. In the case of chronic ileitis, C:15 was given for 6 weeks to check the effect of C:15. Intestinal inflammation (histology and myeloperoxidase activity) and intestinal permeability were used as primary outcomes. In the case of the DSS-induced colitis model, supplementation with C:15 demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects in SAMP mice as evident from reduced inflammation and it also significantly improved gut permeability as compared to controls. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of C:15 were replicated in the ileitis, where the C:15 treatment led to the reduction in the severity of ileitis when compared to the control group. The short-term treatment with C:15 was more beneficial and prevented the DSS-induced colitis in mice. C:15 treatment helped in maintaining body weight, reducing the level of inflammation, preserving the structural integrity of the gut, and alleviating overall clinical signs of colitis. Overall findings from both the ileitis and colitis models in SAMP mice suggest that C:15 has potential therapeutic benefits in treating IBD. These promising results have significant translational implications, indicating that C:15 could be an effective treatment for alleviating IBD in humans, particularly in managing colitis over the short term.

Keywords: colitis, ileitis, anti-inflammatory diet, pentadecanoic acid, odd chain fatty acid.