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Anne Braun, Christian D. Sadik
Department of Dermatology, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Curr Res Integr Med
Statement of the Problem: Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) belongs to the group of pemphigoid diseases, a family of chronicremitting autoimmune skin blistering diseases (ASBD). These diseases are hard to treat with no specific medication available and are associated with an increased mortality rate. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: In the last years, the gut microbiota has been shown to affect the immune system systemically. Disease severity of murine models of e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and gout can be modulated by treatment with acetate, a short chain fatty acid (SCFA) and main microbial fermentation product of dietary fibers. The production of microbial products, modulating immunity, is determined by the composition of the gut microbiota, which is largely effected by nutrition. Nutrition can also directly modulate the immune system, for example by polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Plasma levels of lipid mediators, known to modulate the immune system, are metabolites of PUFAs, which are components of fish oil. Dietary fish oil supplementation can increase serum PUFA levels. So far, the effects of nutrition and the gut microbiota on ASBDs were unknown. We therefore tested different diets and supplements in an antibody-transfer-induced EBA mouse model. Findings: We could show that neither a high fat nor a fish oil rich diet effect EBA disease severity. The same is true for a fiber-rich diet as well as oral treatment with the short chain fatty acids acetate, propionate or butyrate. Also, depletion of the gut microbiota using an antibiotic-cocktail does not affect disease severity. Conclusion & Significance: Nutrition does not seem to have a major impact on EBA disease progression in a mouse model of EBA.
Anne Braun is currently working on her PhD thesis studying the effects of nutrition on an autoimmune disease. She obtained her Master of Science in Molecular Lide Science at the University of Lübeck, Germany, in 2015.
E-mail: anne.braun@uksh.de
+44-7723-59-8358
