Objective To explore the efficacy of parenteral nutrition (PN) and enteral nutrition (EN) in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.Methods For this prospective study,112 patients with ulcerative colitis from January 2012 to September 2013 in our department were enrolled and divided into PN + EN group (n =56) and control group (n =56,treated with conventional therapy) using a random number table.Both groups received 4 weeks of treatment.After 4 weeks,Mayo scores,total protein,albumin,prealbumin,and body mass index were compared between the 2 groups and with the baseline data (before treatment).Results After treatment,the total effective rate in the PN + EN group was significantly higher than that in the control group (83.93％ vs.48.21％,P =0.00),and the Mayo score significantly lower than in the control group (3.11 ± 0.46 vs.7.46 ± 0.88,P =0.00).When compared with the control group,the total protein [(65.32 ± 6.78) g/Lvs.(59.81±6.98) g/L,P=0.00],albumin[(36.20±6.89) g/Lvs.(29.20±5.79) g/L,P =0.01],prealbumin [(267.23 ± 63.48) g/L vs.(245.38 ± 57.39) g/L,P =0.00],and body mass index [(23.45 ± 3.02) kg/m2 vs.(21.34 ± 3.07) kg/m2,P =0.04] in the PN + EN group were significantly increased.Conclusion PN + EN support can enhance the therapeutic effect in patients with ulcerative colitis,reduce the activity of this disease,and significantly improve the nutritional status of the patients.