Colonic Medium-Chain Fatty Acids Act as a Source of Energy and for Colon Maintenance but Are Not Utilized to Acylate Ghrelin

Andras Gregor, Sandra Auernigg-Haselmaier, Slave Trajanoski, Juergen Koenig, Kalina Duszka

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

The capacity of microbiota to produce medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) and related consequences for the gastrointestinal (GI) tract have never been reported before. We verified the impact of nutrition-related factors on fatty acid (FAs) production and found that caloric restriction decreased levels of most of MCFAs in the mouse cecum, whereas overnight fasting reduced the levels of acetate and butyrate but increased propionate and laurate. A diet high in soluble fibre boosted the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and caproate whereas a high-cellulose diet did not have an effect or decreased the levels of some of the FAs. Rectal infusion of caprylate resulted in its rapid metabolism for energy production. Repeated 10-day MCFA infusion impacted epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) weight and lipid accumulation. Repeated infusion of caprylate rectally tended to increase the concentration of active ghrelin in mice plasma; however, this increase was not statistically significant. In Caco-2 cells, caprylate increased the expression of Fabp2, Pdk4, Tlr3, and Gpr40 genes as well as counteracted TNFα-triggered downregulation of Pparγ, Occludin, and Zonulin mRNA expression. In conclusion, we show that colonic MCFAs can be rapidly utilized as a source of energy or stored as a lipid supply. Further, locally produced caprylate may impact metabolism and inflammatory parameters in the colon.

Original languageEnglish
Article number3807
Number of pages16
JournalNutrients
Volume13
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2021

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 303009 Nutritional sciences

Keywords

  • ACCUMULATION
  • ACTIVATED-RECEPTOR-GAMMA
  • CAPRYLIC-ACID
  • CLOSTRIDIUM KLUYVERI
  • DIET
  • EXPRESSION
  • GPR40
  • LIVER
  • METABOLISM
  • TRIGLYCERIDES
  • gastrointestinal tract
  • medium-chain fatty acids
  • microbiota
  • nutrition
  • Nutrition
  • Gastrointestinal tract
  • Microbiota
  • Medium-chain fatty acids

Cite this