Review article: short chain fatty acids in health and disease

Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been the subject of much research over the past few decades. They play a vital role in maintenance of colonic integrity and metabolism. They are produced when dietary fibre is fermented by colonic bacteria. SCFAs are avidly absorbed in the colon, at the same time...

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Veröffentlicht in:Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics 1998-06, Vol.12 (6), p.499-507
Hauptverfasser: Cook, S I, Sellin, J H
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been the subject of much research over the past few decades. They play a vital role in maintenance of colonic integrity and metabolism. They are produced when dietary fibre is fermented by colonic bacteria. SCFAs are avidly absorbed in the colon, at the same time as sodium and water absorption and bicarbonate secretion. Once absorbed, SCFAs are used preferentially as fuel for colonic epithelial cells and have trophic effects on the epithelium. Clinically, SCFAs have been studied as possible therapeutic agents in diversion colitis, ulcerative colitis, radiation proctitis, pouchitis and antibiotic‐associated diarrhoea. Although some promising effects have been observed in uncontrolled studies, a specific therapeutic role for SCFAs remains to be defined. SCFAs may be the effector of the beneficial role of fibre in prevention of colon cancer.
ISSN:0269-2813
1365-2036
DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2036.1998.00337.x