β-Sitosterol and stigmasterol ameliorate dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice fed a high fat Western-style diet

Food Funct. 2017 Nov 15;8(11):4179-4186. doi: 10.1039/c7fo00375g.

Abstract

Phytosterols, the plant analogues of cholesterol, widely occur in the human diet. In this study, we investigated and compared the effects of stigmasterol and β-sitosterol (both with purities ≥95%) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in C57BL/6J male mice fed a high fat Western-style diet. Mice treated with DSS developed severe mucosal colitis, with a marked distortion and crypt loss of colonic surface epithelium. Both β-sitosterol and stigmasterol significantly inhibited colon shortening, lowered fecal hemoglobin content, and reduced the severity of colitis in the middle and distal colon (p < 0.05). These phytosterols also significantly suppressed the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B. They also significantly decreased colony stimulating factor-1 and the nuclear translocation of inflammatory master regulator nuclear factor-kappa B. Stigmasterol significantly lowered the colonic inflammation score and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and colony stimulating factor-1, while β-sitosterol was less or not effective. These results suggest that dietary intake of stigmasterol and β-sitosterol ameliorates colitis. Such activities of stigmasterol and β-sitosterol in humans remain to be investigated.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Colitis / chemically induced
  • Colitis / drug therapy*
  • Colitis / metabolism
  • Dextran Sulfate / adverse effects
  • Diet, High-Fat / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Sitosterols / administration & dosage*
  • Stigmasterol / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Sitosterols
  • gamma-sitosterol
  • Dextran Sulfate
  • Stigmasterol