Microencapsulated Sodium Propionate: a Potential Ally in Microbiota Modulation for the Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether microencapsulated sodium propionate can modulate the gut microbiota and improve inflammatory and immunological parameters in adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in remission or with mild disease activity. The study will also compare its effects with those of sodium butyrate. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does sodium propionate modify gut microbiota composition and metabolic pathways in patients with IBD? * Does sodium propionate influence inflammatory markers, immune cell balance (Treg/Th17), and quality of life? Researchers will compare sodium propionate to sodium butyrate to determine whether propionate provides similar or additional benefits in microbiota modulation and inflammation control. Participants will: * Take either microencapsulated sodium propionate or sodium butyrate daily for 45 days, followed by a washout period and crossover to the alternate treatment * Provide stool samples for microbiota analysis and blood samples for inflammatory cytokine assessment at predefined time points * Complete quality-of-life questionnaires (IBDQ) during the study period
• Confirmed diagnosis of Crohn's disease based on clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological evidence (colonoscopy performed within 2 months prior to enrollment)
• Disease in remission or with mild clinical activity (Mayo score 0-1), confirmed by clinical, endoscopic, or histopathological findings
• Age between 18 and 75 years
• Ability to fully participate in all aspects of the clinical study