Dietary Tryptophan: A Potential Ally in Managing Ulcerative Colitis

Dietary Tryptophan: A Potential Ally in Managing Ulcerative Colitis

Tryptophan-rich Foods’ Role in Ulcerative Colitis Prevention

Emerging studies indicate that tryptophan, an amino acid found in foods like turkey and nuts, might play a role in preventing colitis outbreaks in individuals with ulcerative colitis. Experiments with mice suggest that increased intake of tryptophan could potentially lower the chances of colitis flares.

Thanksgiving, a time when many focus on their dietary choices, brings unique challenges for those with ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease. Recent mouse studies have pointed out that foods rich in tryptophan, such as turkey, pork, nuts, and seeds, may offer a way to mitigate the risk of colitis flare-ups. These insights could lead to non-surgical methods for better long-term management of colitis, pending further research in humans.

Insights from Research

Sangwon Kim, Ph.D., an assistant professor of immunology at Thomas Jefferson University and the study’s senior author, emphasizes the significant impact of ulcerative colitis on patients’ lives, including potential surgeries or cancer risks. This study, published in Nature Communications on November 14, explores alternative treatment avenues.

Ulcerative colitis stems from inflammation in the colon and rectum’s inner lining. Dr. Kim’s research focuses on T-regulatory (T-reg) cells, which can help interrupt the cycle of inflammation. The team discovered that attracting more T-reg cells to the colon could lessen the inflammation that leads to colitis.

They identified a receptor, GPR15, on T-reg cells, acting as a magnet to the colon. The more GPR15 receptors present, the stronger the attraction to the colon. The team found that tryptophan, or its derivatives in the body, could increase GPR15 production on T-reg cells.

The Impact of Tryptophan in Diet

The research team supplemented the diets of mice with tryptophan for two weeks, resulting in a significant increase in inflammation-reducing T-reg cells in the colon, compared to mice not given extra tryptophan. This also led to a decrease in colitis symptoms, with effects lasting up to a week after tryptophan removal from the diet. Dr. Kim suggests this could equate to about a month’s benefit in human terms.

However, administering tryptophan during active colitis flare-ups showed minimal benefits, indicating its potential as a preventive measure rather than a treatment option.

Additional Findings and Future Directions

The research also accidentally uncovered a molecule common in smoke, such as from cigarettes and barbeque, that increases GPR15 levels, possibly explaining why smoking is observed to be protective against colitis. Despite this, tryptophan remains the safer, healthier option.

Future studies aim to verify if these findings are applicable to human colitis patients. Tryptophan supplements are considered safe up to 100 milligrams per day, and further clinical trials are planned to explore their effectiveness in humans.

Reference

This study, titled “Dietary L-Tryptophan consumption determines the number of colonic regulatory T cells and susceptibility to colitis via GPR15,” authored by Nguyen T. Van, Karen Zhang, Rachel M. Wigmore, and others, was published in Nature Communications (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43211-4). Supported by multiple grants and awards, Dr. Kim, holding a related patent, declares no conflicts of interest.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ulcerative Colitis Management

More about Ulcerative Colitis Management

• Ulcerative Colitis and Tryptophan Study
• Dr. Sangwon Kim’s Research on Colitis
• Tryptophan’s Role in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Nature Communications: Ulcerative Colitis Research Publication
• T-regulatory Cells and Ulcerative Colitis Management
• Dietary Management of Ulcerative Colitis: Tryptophan Benefits
• GPR15 Receptors and Colitis Prevention Research