Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to address the fatty acid (FA) status and its relationship with disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: FA levels of the phospholipid fraction in serum and a colon biopsy specimen were measured in 17 patients with IBD. RESULTS: A negative correlation between the histological activity of inflammation of the disease and the ratio of polyunsaturated FAs/no polyunsaturated FAs was observed. Moreover, the level of that ratio was lower in patients with IBDs as compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: The FA profile in serum and in a colon biopsy specimen in patients with IBD is characteristic for essential fatty acid insufficiency.