Intestinal health functions of colonic microbial metabolites: a review - PubMed (original) (raw)

Review

Intestinal health functions of colonic microbial metabolites: a review

R Havenaar. Benef Microbes. 2011 Jun.

Abstract

This review tries to find a scientific answer on the following two questions: (1) to what extent do we understand the specific role of colonic microbial metabolites, especially short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), in maintaining the health status and prevention of diseases of the colon and the host; (2) to what extent can we influence or even control the formation of colonic microbial metabolites which are beneficial for the health status. The review focuses on the following topics: energy source, intestinal motility, defence barrier, oxidative stress with special attention for antiinflammatory and anti-carcinogen functions, and satiety. Also the risk of overproduction of SCFA is discussed. Reviewing the literature as present today, it can be concluded that physiological levels of SCFA are vital for the health and well-being of the host and that the presence of carbohydrates (dietary fibre, prebiotics) is essential to favour the metabolic activity in the direction of carbohydrate fermentation. For optimal motor activity of the ileum and colon, to regulate the physiological intestinal mobility, steadily fermentable dietary fibres or prebiotics are crucial. The formation of SCFA, especially propionate and butyrate, up to high physiological levels in the colon, much likely also contributes to the defence mechanisms of the intestinal wall. No final answer can be given yet about the role of SCFA in anti-inflammation and anti-carcinogenicity, but recently published research shows possible mechanisms in this field. The intake of prebiotics or specific dietary fibres promotes the formation of SCFA within the physiological range, and more or less specifically increases the levels of propionate and butyrate. In this way, they provide benefit to the host, especially the natural regulation of the digestive system.

PubMed Disclaimer

Cited by

Effect of early enteral nutrition on postoperative nutritional status and immune function in elderly patients with esophageal cancer or cardiac cancer.
Yu G, Chen G, Huang B, Shao W, Zeng G. Yu G, et al. Chin J Cancer Res. 2013 Jun;25(3):299-305. doi: 10.3978/j.issn.1000-9604.2013.06.01. Chin J Cancer Res. 2013. PMID: 23825906 Free PMC article.
The gut microbiota-neuroimmune crosstalk and neuropathic pain: a scoping review.
Nawarathna G, Fakhruddin KS, Shorbagi AISA, Samaranayake LP. Nawarathna G, et al. Gut Microbiome (Camb). 2023 Jun 19;4:e10. doi: 10.1017/gmb.2023.7. eCollection 2023. Gut Microbiome (Camb). 2023. PMID: 39295900 Free PMC article. Review.
Dietary patterns interfere with gut microbiota to combat obesity.
Lou X, Li P, Luo X, Lei Z, Liu X, Liu Y, Gao L, Xu W, Liu X. Lou X, et al. Front Nutr. 2024 Jun 17;11:1387394. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1387394. eCollection 2024. Front Nutr. 2024. PMID: 38953044 Free PMC article. Review.
An Overview on Probiotics as an Alternative Strategy for Prevention and Treatment of Human Diseases.
Taherian M, Mahin Samadi P, Rastegar H, Faramarzi MA, Rostami-Nejad M, Yazdi MH, Rezaei-Tavirani M, Yazdi Z. Taherian M, et al. Iran J Pharm Res. 2019 Fall;18(Suppl1):31-50. doi: 10.22037/ijpr.2020.112232.13620. Iran J Pharm Res. 2019. PMID: 32802088 Free PMC article. Review.
The effect of synbiotic preparations on the intestinal microbiota and her metabolism in broiler chickens.
Śliżewska K, Markowiak-Kopeć P, Żbikowski A, Szeleszczuk P. Śliżewska K, et al. Sci Rep. 2020 Mar 9;10(1):4281. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-61256-z. Sci Rep. 2020. PMID: 32152423 Free PMC article.

Intestinal health functions of colonic microbial metabolites: a review - PubMed (original) (raw)