In light of recent evidence showing that administration of BCFAs in neonatal rats increases the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and reduces the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, an anti-inflammatory action of BCFAs in the intestine might be postulated, which is likely mediated by the well-established negative crosstalk of PPARalpha activation with critical inflammatory signaling pathways. This evidence concerns the gene PPARA and necrotizing enterocolitis.