Beneficial effect of a polymeric feed, rich in TGF-b, on adult patients with active Crohn's disease: a pilot study

J.K. Triantafillidis, Asteria Stamataki, A. Gikas, Maria Sklavaina, Maria Mylonaki,; F. Georgopoulos, A. Mastragelis, P. Cheracakis

Authors J.K. Triantafillidis, Asteria Stamataki, A. Gikas, Maria Sklavaina, Maria Mylonaki,, F. Georgopoulos, A. Mastragelis, P. Cheracakis.

Abstract

So far, nutritional support with a polymeric diet rich in
TGF-â has been studied only in children with Crohn’s
disease and produced satisfactory results. There are no
data concerning the effect of this kind of diet in adult
patients with Crohn’s disease. The aim of this pilot study
was to present our initial experience on the use of a polymeric
diet rich in TGF-â in patients with mild or moderately
active Crohn’s disease. Patients and Methods:
Twenty nine patients with active Crohn’s disease received
Modulen IBD as an exclusive diet for 4 weeks (50gx5/d).
Patients continued to be on their regular conservative
treatment (if so).
Activity of the disease was assessed at the beginning of the
therapeutic trial and after 4 weeks by the use of CDAI. Various
anthropometric parameters and serum estimations,
including ESR, CRP, platelets, albumin, vitamin B12 and
folic acid were carried out at the beginning and after 4 weeks
of application of the special diet.
Results: Clinical improvement was noticed in 69% (20 out
of 29 patients). No change of the situation or worsening
was noticed in 9 patients (31%). The main alterations on
anthropometric, hematological and biochemical parameters
estimated before and after the application of the special
diet are shown in the table.
Parameter Before After P-value
treatment treatment
Body weight 61.7+/-13.8 63.2+/-13.6 0.003
Body Mass Index 21.2+/-4.5 21.7+/-4.0 0.002
Skin Fold 13.9+/-7.5 15.1+/-8.7 0 . 0 3 9
Thickness
Mid Arm 26.7+/-4.5 28.1+/-4.8 0.004
Circumference
Albumin 3.14+/-0.62 3.6+/-0.41 0.049
Fibrinogen 494.5+/-105.4 424.3+/-92.6 0.002
Folic acid 4.9+/-3.1 6.7+/-3.9 0.038
CRP 30.6+/-26.2 11.3+/-14.6 0.011
Immunoglobulin B 126.8+/-68.2 151.4+/-103.4 0.017
(Mean+/-1SD)
Conclusion: Dietetic intervention with polymeric diet rich
in TGF-â2 represents a quite satisfactory therapeutic modality
in adult patients with mild to moderately active
Crohn’s disease. However, these results must be confirmed
in larger, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trials.
Key words: Crohn’s disease, Inflammatory bowel disease,
Inflammation, Transforming Growth Factor-â, Milk