Use of Cellulose and Recent Research into Butyrate

Abstract

On earth, there are about 5,400 kinds of mammals, of which about 1,000 kinds are herbivores. Among herbivores, about 250 kinds are known to be ruminants. As for cattle and sheep, which are ruminants, fermentation takes places mainly in their rumen; in contrast, for pigs and men, which are non-ruminants, fermentation takes place mainly in their caecum, colon, and rectum. As for the kind and dominance of rumen microorganisms, Bacteroidetes account for 51% and Firmicutes for 43%. As for the dominance of the large intestine microorganisms in men, Firmicutes account for 65% and Bacteroidetes for 25%. Cell wall components are decomposed by microorganisms, and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are generated through fermentation; the ratio of acetate, propionate, and butyrate generate is 60:25:15. Butyrate absorbed through the primary butyrate transporter MCT1 (mono carboxylate transports-1) in the intestines activates such SCFA receptors as GPR43 and GPR41. Butyrate has a strong anti-tumorigenic function. Butyrate is characterized by the fact that it has an effect on many cancer cells, contributes to the coordination of functions in the cells, and induces cancer apoptosis. Butyrate activates caspase but inhibits the activity of HDAC (histone deacetylase), so as to induce apoptosis. In addition, it increases p53 expression, so as to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Anti-inflammation actions of SCFA include the reduction of IL-8 expression in intestinal epithelial cells, the inhibition of NO synthesis, and the restraint of the activity of NF-kB (nuclear factor kB), so as to suppress the occurrence of cancers caused by inflammation. Butyrate plays an important role in maintaining physiological functions of intestinal mucous membranes and is used as a cure for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Digestive organ of ruminant and mono-gastric animals Ruminants are referred to as so because of their rumination or special digestive organ (the stomach), in which cud can be chewed. Ruminants are the most advanced animals of ungulates and the most multiplied and prevalent throughout the world. They have a rumination, which is a very peculiar digestive organ and possibly enables them to have survived poor vegetation conditions, allowing them to flourish greatly. The stomach of all ruminants is divided into four compartments including the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasums (of which rumen and reticulum are involved in rumination and called rumen). Rumination is a process in which food, once swallowed, is emitted back unto the mouth for re-chewing; of feeds returned into reticulum via rumen, those of which over a certain size will be returned again into rumen, accumulated, and regurgitated to the mouth. The regurgitated feeds will be smashed finely between molar teeth and mixed with saliva in the mouth, then returned to rumen for fermentation. Ruminants include cattle, sheep, goats, deer, musk deer, giraffes, and impalas.Pseudo-ruminants have a similar stomach to rumen in which microorganism fermentation takes place, but thei...