How does carrageenan cause colitis? A review

Carrageenan is a common additive, but mounting studies have reported that it may cause or aggravate inflammation in the intestines. The safety of carrageenan remains controversial and its inflammatory mecha-nisms are unclear. In this review, the pathogenesis of colitis by carrageenans was discussed. We analyzed the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, followed that line of thought, the existing evidence of carrageenans causing colitis in cellular and animal models was summarized to draw its colitis pathogenesis. Two pathways were described including: 1) carrageenan changed the composition of intestinal microbiota, especially Akker-mansia muciniphila, which destroyed the mucosal barrier and triggered the inflammatory immune response; and 2) carrageenan directly contacted with receptors on epithelial cells and activated the NF-kappa B inflammatory pathway. This review aim to provide guidance for exploring the treatment of colitis caused by carrageenan, and safe processing and utilization of carrageenan in food industry, which is worthy of study in the future.

Automated summary

This review discusses the pathogenesis of carrageenan-induced colitis, highlighting two pathways: carrageenan alters the composition of intestinal microbiota, leading to an inflammatory immune response, and carrageenan directly activates the NF-kappa B inflammatory pathway through contact with receptors on epithelial cells. The findings provide guidance for exploring the treatment of carrageenan-induced colitis and emphasize the importance of safe processing and utilization of carrageenan in the food industry.