The aim of this study is to test Eicosapentaenoic acid's effects on markers relevant to colorectal carcinogenesis, RNA and DNA profiles, and the possibility that Eicosapentaenoic Acid treatment might be associated with changes of the gut microbiota and metabolomic profiles in patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
25
Twenty patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis undergoing the usual colonoscopic surveillance + biopsy sampling will be recruited. At entry six extra biopsy samples will be collected from the colon. We will also collect blood (for serum, plasma and red cells isolation), urine and stools. Subjects will then receive 2 g/day of Eicosapentaenoic Acid (ALFA ™, SLA Pharma AG, Switzerland) as a supplement for 90 days. At the end of the study each subject will undergo sigmoidoscopy for the collection of 6 biopsies. Blood, urine and stools will be obtained prior to the procedure.
Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico Sant'Orsola Malpighi
Bologna, BO, Italy
Changes of RNA profiles (gene expression and micro RNA) from baseline
Time frame: baseline and at 3 months
Changes of DNA methylation profiles
Time frame: baseline and 3 months
Changes in cell proliferation
Time frame: baseline and 3 months
Changes of apoptosis
Time frame: baseline and 3 months
Changes of circulating cytokines from baseline
Time frame: baseline and 3 months
Changes of membrane fatty acid composition from baseline
Time frame: baseline and 3 months
Changes of metabolomic profiles from baseline
Time frame: baseline and 3 months
Change of Microbiota composition from baseline
Time frame: baseline and 3 months
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