Bioactive lipids in inflammatory bowel diseases – From pathophysiological alterations to therapeutic opportunities

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are lifelong diseases that remain challenging to treat. IBDs are characterized by alterations in intestinal barrier function and dysregulation of the innate and adaptive immunity. An increasing number of lipids are found to be important regulators of inflammation and immunity as well as gut physiology. Therefore, the study of lipid mediators in IBDs is expected to improve our understanding of disease pathogenesis and lead to novel therapeutic opportunities. Here, through selected examples – such as fatty acids, specialized proresolving mediators, lysophospholipids, endocannabinoids, and oxysterols – we discuss how lipid signaling is involved in IBD physiopathology and how modulating lipid signaling pathways could affect IBDs.