Phosphatidylcholine for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

Gebhardt, P. (2019). Phosphatidylcholine for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis. Wellness Foods and Supplements, (1), 4-7.

The intestinal epithelium is covered by a protective mucus layer. Phosphatidylcholine is an important component of the mucus layer that maintains its integrity.
The intestinal epithelium is overlaid with a mucus layer, that prevents the invasion of bacteria and antigens. The phospholipid phosphatidylcholine is secreted from the intestinal mucosa into the mucus layer. Phosphatidylcholine accumulates on the surface of the mucus layer and forms a protective bilayer that binds the mucus to the mucosa and maintains mucosal integrity.
The intestinal epithelium is overlaid with a protective mucus layer, that prevents the invasion of bacteria from the intestinal lumen. In colitis ulcerosa, the integrity of the mucus layer gets lost. The invasion of bacteria causes an inflammation with increased apoptosis of enterocytes and oxidative stress.
In ulcerative colitis, integrity of the mucus layer gets lost. This leads to increased permeability and increased uptake of antigens. The resulting activation of the immune system causes an inflammatory process with increased oxidative stress and apoptosis of epithelial cells.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the colon, that causes diarrhea, bleeding and cramping pain. Although the exact cause of the disease is not known, a deficiency of the phospholipid phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) can be detected in the intestinal mucus of those affected. Phosphatidylcholine occurs naturally in the mucus layer and accumulates on its surface. The phospholipid forms a hydrophobic fatty film that represents an essential factor for the integrity of the barrier function of the mucus layer. Supplemental phosphatidylcholine with delayed release showed promising results in clinical trials for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Phosphatidylcholine stands out by the fact that side effects are not to be expected.