The Role of Dietary Fiber in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Feasibility Study

Language
en
Document Type
Article
Issue Date
2020-01-16
First published
2019-10-07
Issue Year
2019
Authors
Häger, Julian
Bang, Holger
Hagen, Melanie
Frech, Michael
Träger, Pascal
Sokolova, Maria V.
Steffen, Ulrike
Tascilar, Koray
Sarter, Kerstin
Schett, Georg
Editor
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract

Short-chain fatty acids are microbial metabolites that have been shown to be key regulators of the gut–joint axis in animal models. In humans, microbial dysbiosis was observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients as well as in those at-risk to develop RA, and is thought to be an environmental trigger for the development of clinical disease. At the same time, diet has a proven impact on maintaining intestinal microbial homeostasis. Given this association, we performed a feasibility study in RA patients using high-fiber dietary supplementation with the objective to restore microbial homeostasis and promote the secretion of beneficial immunomodulatory microbial metabolites. RA patients (n = 36) under routine care received daily high-fiber bars or cereals for 28 days. Clinical assessments and laboratory analysis of immune parameters in blood and stool samples from RA patients were done before and after the high-fiber dietary supplementation. We observed an increase in circulating regulatory T cell numbers, favorable Th1/Th17 ratios, as well as decreased markers of bone erosion in RA patients after 28 days of dietary intervention. Furthermore, patient-related outcomes of RA improved. Based on these results, we conclude that controlled clinical studies of high-fiber dietary interventions could be a viable approach to supplement or complement current pharmacological treatment strategies.

Journal Title
Nutrients
Volume
11
Issue
10
Citation
Nutrients 11.10 (2019): 2393. <https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/10/2392>