Evidence for a Modulatory Effect of a 12‐Week Pomegranate Juice Intervention on the Transcriptional Response in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Reducing Fecal Calprotectin Levels: Findings From a Proof‐of‐Principle Study
This study aimed at investigating the effects of pomegranate juice (POMJ) consumption on inflammatory biomarkers and gene expression in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in clinical remission. In this randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 16 subjects with IBD in remission consumed POMJ or placebo for 12 weeks. POMJ consumption significantly reduced fecal calprotectin (FC) and plasma endotoxin levels. Transcriptomic analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells revealed upregulation of genes involved in mucosal immunity, including aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), neutrophil cytosolic factor 4 (NCF4), and nuclear factor, interleukin 3 regulated (NFIL3). Urolithin metabotypes were predominantly of the B type, associated with intestinal dysbiosis. No significant changes were observed in serum inflammatory markers or colonic mucosal cytokine expression. POMJ consumption reduced markers of intestinal inflammation and modulated gene expression related to mucosal immunity and barrier function in patients with IBD. These findings suggest the potential of POMJ as a beneficial dietary intervention for maintaining remission in IBD, highlighting the promise of targeted nutritional strategies in managing chronic inflammatory conditions. Further research is needed to elucidate the long-term clinical implications of these molecular changes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03000101.
Authors
- Ilaria Minato (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1538-2585)
- Margherita Dall’Asta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0558-0337)
- Eleonora Scaioli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8699-7467)
- Luigi Ricciardiello (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2568-6208)
- Claudio Curti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6117-1503)
- Enrica Rotondo
- Sara Dobani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1480-7174)
- Francisco Abraham Tomás-Barberán (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0790-1739)
- Eleonora Derlindati (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2592-259X)
- Vicente Agulló (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6846-6072)
- Lynnette R. Ferguson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0107-4741)
- Alice Rosi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8533-797X)
- Daniele Del Rio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5394-1259)
- Paloma Salamanca Iniesta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2444-4653)
- Carlo Mengucci (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0602-3003)
- Alessandra Bordoni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4579-1662)
- Alessandra Dei (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8666-4849)
- Enzo Spisni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8525-2981)
- Andrea Belluzzi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9368-1014)
- Pedro Mena (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2150-2977)
- Letizia Bresciani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7768-4987)
- Nicole Tosi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1479-744X)
- Barbara Montanini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5419-7975)
- Francesca Danesi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4134-0066)
- Gianfranco Picone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7932-6692)
- Costanza Michelini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5389-6141)
Institutions
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (IT)
- University of Parma (IT)
- University of Auckland (NZ)
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedliero-Universitaria di Bologna Policlinico di Sant'Orsola (IT)
- Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (ES)
- University of Bologna (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Molecular Nutrition & Food Research
- Published
- 2025-04-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.70067
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Pomegranate: compositions and health benefits
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.36
Funders
- Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca