Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been recognized as mediators of immune responses, including pathways of cytokine production. In this study, we investigated the immune-regulatory effects of SCFAs on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from buffy coat of healthy donors. PBMCs were exposed to varying concentrations of individual SCFAs or of their mixtures of acetate, propionate and butyrate. The productions of interleukin (IL) IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-21, IL-23 and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) were assessed. T cell differentiation after exposure to SCFAs was also examined. Compared with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cells (controls), SCFAs slightly decreased TGF-β1 production and reduced IL-6 production; butyrate was more effective than acetate or propionate. SCFAs particularly butyrate caused the induction of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) rather than Th17 cells. SCFAs may up-regulate the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines in PBMCs, resulting in the induction of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells.

Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are major products of prebiotic fermentation and confer human health benefits such as immune-regulation. In this study, reconstituted skim milk supplemented with prebiotics (RSMP) including inulin, hi-maize or β-glucan was fermented by probiotic strains of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacteria spp. After 24 h of fermentation, probiotics growth and SCFAs production were investigated and the produced SCFAs were extracted. Inulin and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53013 (LGG) combination released highest concentrations of SCFAs compared to LGG and hi-maize or β-glucan. Extracted SCFAs were then used for in vitro immune modulation study in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated PBMCs, SCFAs particularly butyrate down-regulated tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-12, interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), and up-regulated IL-4, IL-10, while no significant effect was noted in non-LPS-stimulated PBMCs. The results indicate that SCFAs regulated cytokine milieu in LPS-stimulated PBMCs to anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) including acetate, propionate and butyrate play an important role in the physiological functions of epithelial cells and colonocytes, such as immune response regulation. Human intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) contribute in intestinal immune response via different ways, such as production of different immune factors including Interleukin (IL) IL-8, which act as chemoattractant for neutrophils, and subsequently enhance inflammation. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of SCFAs on IECs viability and production of IL-8 in vitro. SCFAs were co-cultured with either normal intestinal epithelial (T4056) or adenocarcinoma derived (HT-29) cell lines for 24-96 h in the presence of E.coli lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Cell viability, proliferation, production of IL-8 and expression of IL-8 mRNA were determined in the cell cultures. The result showed that 20 mM of SCFAs was non-cytotoxic to T4056 and enhanced their growth, whereas the growth of HT-29 was inhibited. The SCFAs down regulated LPS-stimulated IL-8 secretion with different response patterns, but no obvious effects on the release of IL-8 from non LPS- stimulated cells. In conclusion, SCFAs showed regulatory effect on release of LPS-stimulated IL-8 as well as the expression of mRNA of IL-8; these might explain the anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic mechanism of SCFAs.

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