Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) is an endogenous antioxidant enzyme that catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide radicals into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, thus protecting cells from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is recognized as a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Scientific interest in SOD as a therapeutic agent for IBD stems from its ability to reduce oxidative damage and modulate inflammation.

Animal studies have shown that administration of SOD, particularly in encapsulated or recombinant forms, can reduce intestinal inflammation and oxidative injury in experimental models of colitis. Some small clinical trials and pilot studies have explored the effects of oral or enteric-coated SOD supplementation in IBD patients, with modest improvements in oxidative markers and, occasionally, clinical symptoms. However, the evidence is mixed, and methodological limitations such as small sample sizes, short duration, and lack of standardized formulations restrict the conclusions that can be drawn.

Overall, while there is a plausible mechanistic rationale and preliminary evidence suggesting that SOD supplementation may be beneficial in IBD by mitigating oxidative stress, robust, large-scale clinical trials are lacking. Therefore, the scientific support for SOD in the treatment or support of IBD is currently limited, and its routine use is not established in clinical guidelines.

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