Evaluation of Passiflora edulis peel intake in prevention and treatment of TNBS induced ulcerative colitis

Author(s)

Cinthia Baú Betim Cazarin

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos
• Defense date: 2014-02-24

Examining board members

Mário Roberto Maróstica Junior; Anderson Luiz Ferreira; Cibele Lima de Albuquerque; João Ernesto de Carvalho; Clélia Akiko Hiruma Lima

• Advisor: Mário Roberto Maróstica Junior

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing disease that affects millions of people worldwide, encompassing Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). UC is an inflammation specific to the region of the colon and rectum. Current treatments for these diseases are based on the use of corticosteroids, immunomodulators or biological therapy, which have various side effects to the patient. The pathogenesis of IBD is related to genetic, immunological and environmental factors. It is believed that the microbial imbalance as well as natural break in the barrier exerted by the intestinal mucosa is the first step in triggering the inflammatory response. Food dietary fiber presents capacity to modulate the microbiota and improve short chain fatty acids (SCFA) formation, by fermentation process. In addition, the phenolic compounds present in the food have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that can modulate the inflammatory process. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the use of a byproduct of the food industry, the passion fruit peel, as a source of fiber and phenolic compounds in the diet of rats with TNBS-induced colitis and its influence on the inflammatory process. Wistar rats were fed a modified AIN-93 (50% of cellulose was replaced by passion fruit peel PFF) to evaluate prevention and treatment of colitis induced by TNBS. The damage to the mucosa was evaluated macroscopically and microscopically, as well as the expression of inflammatory markers. Evaluation of the microbiota and formation of SCFA in cecal contents were performed. The macroscopic appearance of the mucosa damage in the group PFF was higher than AIN in prevention trial. However, the microscopic evaluation in both trials showed no difference in mucosal damage amongst the groups. Treatment trial showed that PFF could promote a decrease in lipid peroxidation of the colon, decrease in enterobacteria and total aerobics counts, as well as increase in acetic and butyric acid in the stool. On the other hand, the prevention trial showed that the ingredient could exert modulation on lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. The inflammatory markers showed significant modulation, mainly IKK?, COX-2 and iNOS in animals fed with PFF diet. These results suggest that the passion fruit peel, Passiflora edulis, can modulate the microbiota, increase the production of SCFA, and modulate the expression of inflammatory markers observed in TNBS-induced colitis. Passion fruit peel could be used in the treatment of IBD as a source of fiber and polyphenols (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/16752-3 - Assessment of consumption of the peel of Passiflora edulis and its impact on intestinal inflammation in rats with ulcerative colitis.
• Grantee: Cinthia Baú Betim Cazarin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate