Abstract Background 50% female) were randomised to HED or LED (2 HED, 3 LED withdrew). 18 healthy participants (median age 34 years IQR 23-46; 75% female) completed both diets. Dietary adherence was excellent. IBUS-SAS reduced similarly (p = 0.28) on HED (mean 51 95% CI 35-68 to 33 15-51; p = 0.014) and on LED (57 38-76 to 44 29-59; p = 0.010). Only IL-6 concentrations were higher in CD patients compared with healthy controls at baseline and during the diets (Figure). There were no differences in the other cytokines between or within HED or LED, nor between CD patients and healthy controls (all p 0.10). Cytokine levels did not differ between diets in sonographic responders or those with a 5% reduction in waist circumference (all p 0.05). CONCLUSION Circulating cytokines did not change in healthy subjects or patients with CD, despite a reduction in intestinal sonographic inflammation on both HED and LED. The cytokine assay confirmed the expected IL-6 elevation in active CD, supporting its sensitivity to detect clinically relevant inflammation. Marked variation in dietary emulsifier intake and ultra-processed food content had no specific effect on barrier function or inflammation as reflected by systemic cytokine profiles.
Halmos et al. (Thu,) studied this question.