Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) T he interchange of low molecular weight metabolites between gut microorganisms and macroorganism have attracted a lot of attention during last years [1][2][3]. The gut microbiota affects predominantly host physiology by the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs are saturated aliphatic organic acids that consist of one to six carbons of which acetate (C2), propionate (C3), and butyrate (C4) are most abundant (≥95%). Acetate, propionate, and butyrate are present in an approximate molar ratio of 60:20:20 in the colon and stool [4]. Depending on the diet, the total maximum concentration of SCFAs decreases from 70 to 140 mM in the proximal colon from 20 to 70 mM in the distal colon [5].These metabolites, especially butyrate, serve as an important source of energy for the intestinal epithelial cells, providing about 60-70% of their ener gy demand. Colonocytes from germ-free mice are in an energy-deprived state and exhibit decreased expression of enzymes that catalyze key steps in intermediary metabolism including the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Consequently, there is a marked decrease in NADH/NAD + , oxidative phosphorylation, and ATP levels, that results in AMP-activated protein kinase activation, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B phosphorylation and autophagy. When butyrate is added to germ-free colonocytes, it rescues their deficit in mitochondrial respiration and prevents them from undergoing autophagy [6].
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