This study aimed to evaluate the effect of perilla oil (PO) on high-fat diet (HD)-induced colonic inflammation. Male C57BL/6J mice (5 weeks old) were divided into four groups: normal diet, HD, HD supplemented with fish oil (FO), and HD supplemented with PO, and were fed experimental diets for 16 weeks. PO significantly ameliorated (P < .05) the HD-induced colon inflammation as indicated by the increased colon length and low macroscopic score. PO increased the number of Bifidobacteria and reduced the number of Enterobacteriaceae, which in turn resulted in the lowering of endotoxin levels. Proinflammatory cytokines in serum and colon such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α were also decreased by PO treatment. In addition, PO suppressed the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 and inducible nitric oxide, and inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-κB in the colon while increasing the expression of the tight junction protein, Zonula occludens-1. The gene expression of GPR120, a membrane receptor activated by omega-3 fatty acids, was increased in the oil-treated groups. Altogether, PO improved HD-induced colon inflammatory conditions, and the effects were similar to those of FO, confirming that PO is a potential omega-3 fatty acid source for dietary supplements.
Keywords: cytokines; high-fat diet; inflammation; omega-3 fatty acids.