Eicosapentaenoic Free Fatty Acid and Fecal Calprotectin in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Modulation of Fecal Calprotectin by Eicosapentaenoic Free Fatty Acid in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

The aim of this study is to test Eicosapentaenoic free fatty acid's effects on calprotectin levels in IBD patients in clinical remission. During the study fecal calprotectin levels will be measured every 3 months and clinical flares will be registered.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ranged between18 and 80 years.
• Patients with Ulcerative Colitis (diagnosed on the base of clinic, endoscopic and histologic criteria) in clinical remission (SCCAI = 0) from at least 3 months and in stable therapy (without therapeutic modifications in the three previous months) with 5-ASA, immunomodulators and/or biologics.
• Patients affected by Crohn's Disease (diagnosed on the base of clinic, endoscopic and histologic criteria) ) in clinical remission (CDAI < 150) from at least 3 months and in stable therapy (without therapeutic modifications in the three previous months) with 5-ASA, immunomodulators and/or biologics.
• Fecal calprotectin at baseline > 150 μg/g.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients affected by Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease respectively with a SCCAI ≥ 1 and a CDAI ≥150.
• Patients on steroid therapy.
• Patients in therapy wih warfarin or other anticoagulants.
• Known or supposed ipersensitivity to eicosapentaenoic acid/omega 3.
• Women in fertile age which refuse to use contracceptives specified in the study (oral contraception, IUD) and breastfeed women.
• Patients with severe clinical conditions which the investigator consider to controindicate patient partecipation at the study.
• Therapy modifications and/or assumption of sperimental therapies within three months before the study inclusion.
• Patients unable to follow protocol procedures and to sign the informate consent.