Effects of short-chain fatty acids on intestinal function in an enteroid model of hypoxia

Abstract

The healthy GI tract is physiologically hypoxic, but this may be perturbed by certain acute and chronic stressors that reduce oxygen availability systemically. Short-chain fatty acids have been shown to have beneficial effects on intestinal barrier function and inflammation. Therefore, our objective was to see whether short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) would improve GI barrier function, reduce production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and increase the expression of genes regulating GI barrier function in enteroids exposed to hypoxia. Human duodenal enteroid monolayers were placed under hypoxia (1.0% O2) for 72 h with either 24, or 48 h pre-treatment with a high acetate ratio of SCFA’s or high butyrate ratio or placed under hypoxia concurrently. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) increased with SCFA pre-treatment, especially 48 h of pre-treatment and this was maintained through the first 48 h of hypoxia while cells saw barrier function dramatically decrease by 72 h of hypoxia exposure. Inflammatory protein secretion largely decreased with exposure to hypoxia, regardless of SCFA pre-treatment. Gene expression of several genes related to barrier function were decreased with exposure to hypoxia, and with concurrent and 24 h SCFA pre-treatment. However, 48 h SCFA pre-treatment with a high butyrate ratio increased expression of several metabolic and differentiation related genes. Overall, pre-treatment or concurrent treatment with SCFA mixtures were not able to overcome the negative impacts of hypoxia on intestinal function and cells ultimately still cannot be sustained under hypoxia for 72 h. However, 48 h pre-treatment maintains TEER for up to 48 h of hypoxia while upregulating several metabolic genes.

Regulatory Functions of Hypoxia in Host–Parasite Interactions: A Focus on Enteric, Tissue, and Blood Protozoa

“…Interestingly, microbiota-derived products, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate, play a role in the stabilization of HIF, which in turn improves epithelial barrier functions [ 112 ] ( Figure 1 D). In an enteroid model of hypoxia, pre-treatment or concurrent treatment with different ratios of SCFA cocktails such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate led to increased transepithelial electrical resistance, as well as increased expression of key gut barrier and metabolism genes [ 113 ]. Thus, more research is warranted to characterize changes in EJCs during protozoan infections under hypoxic conditions, as well as the role of protozoa-associated dysbiotic microbiota and derived products in the loss of barrier functions.…”