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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease characterised by multiple organ involvement and a large number of complications. SLE management remains complicated owing to the biological heterogeneity between patients and the lack of safe and specific targeted therapies. There is evidence that dietary factors can contribute to the geoepidemiology of autoimmune diseases such as SLE. Thus, diet therapy could be a promising approach in SLE owing to both its potential prophylactic effects, without the side effects of classical pharmacology, and its contribution to reducing co-morbidities and improving quality of life in patients with SLE. However, the question arises as to whether nutrients could ameliorate or exacerbate SLE and how they could modulate inflammation and immune function at a molecular level. The present review summarises preclinical and clinical experiences to provide the reader with an update of the positive and negative aspects of macro- and micronutrients and other nutritional factors, including dietary phenols, on SLE, focusing on the mechanisms of action involved. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: We evaluated the protective effect of dietary extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) polyphenol extract (PE) supplementation in the inflammatory response associated to chronic colitis model. Six-week-old mice were randomized in four dietary groups: standard diet (SD), EVOO diet and both enriched with PE (850 ppm) (SD+PE and EVOO+PE). After 30 days, animals that were exposed to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) (3%) followed by 3 weeks of drinking water developed chronic colitis, which was evaluated by disease activity index (DAI) and histology. Cell proliferation was analyzed by immunohistochemical and changes in monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α mRNA expression by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Colonic expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), IκBα inhibitory and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) were determined by western blotting. SD-DSS group showed a significant increase of DAI, histological damage and cell proliferation, as well as an up-regulation of TNF-α, MCP-1, COX-2 and iNOS proteins. p38 and JNK MAPKs phosphorylation, IκBα degradation and PPARγ deactivation were also observed. However, in DSS-treated and EVOO+PE-fed mice, DAI and cell proliferation were significantly reduced, as well as MCP-1, TNF-α, COX-2 and iNOS expression levels. In addition, this dietary group, notably down-regulated JNK phosphorylation, prevented IκBα degradation and PPARγ deactivation. These results demonstrated, for the first time, that EVOO-PE supplementation possessed marked protective effects on experimental colitis through PPARγ up-regulation and nuclear transcription factor-kappa B and MAPK signaling pathway inhibition, decreasing the inflammatory cascade. We concluded that PE-enriched EVOO diet could be a beneficial functional food on ulcerative colitis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Dietary polyphenols present in Punica granatum (pomegranate), such as ellagitannins and ellagic acid (EA) have shown to exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a dietary EA-enriched pomegranate extract (PE) in a murine chronic model of Cronh''s disease (CD). Colonic injury was induced by intracolonic instillation of trinitrobenzensulfonic acid (TNBS). Rats were fed with different diets during 30 days before TNBS instillation and 2 weeks before killing: (i) standard, (ii) PE 250mg/kg/day, (iii) PE 500mg/kg/day, (iv) EA 10mg/kg/day and (v) EA 10mg/kg/day enriched-PE 250mg/kg/day. Inflammation response was assessed by histology and MPO activity and TNF-α production. Besides, colonic expressions of iNOS, COX-2, p38, JNK, pERK1/2 MAPKs, IKBα and nuclear p65 NF-κB were studied by western blotting. MPO activity and the TNF-α levels were significantly reduced in dietary fed rats when compared with TNBS group. Similarly, PE and an EA-enriched PE diets drastically decreased COX-2 and iNOS overexpression, reduced MAPKs phosporylation and prevented the nuclear NF-κB translocation. Dietary supplementation of EA contributes in the beneficial effect of PE in this experimental colitis model and may be a novel therapeutic strategy to manage inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]