Colonic infusions of short-chain fatty acid mixtures promote energy metabolism in overweight/obese men: a randomized crossover trial

Emanuel E. Canfora*, Christina M. van der Beek, Johan W. E. Jocken, Gijs H. Goossens, Jens J. Holst, Steven W. M. Olde Damink, Kaatje Lenaerts, Cornelis H. C. Dejong, Ellen E. Blaak

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), formed by microbial fermentation, are believed to be involved in the aetiology of obesity and diabetes. This study investigated the effects of colonic administration of physiologically relevant SCFA mixtures on human substrate and energy metabolism. In this randomized, double-blind, crossover study, twelve normoglycaemic men (BMI 25-35 kg/m(2)) underwent four investigational days, during which SCFA mixtures (200 mmol/L) high in either acetate (HA), propionate (HP), butyrate (HB) or placebo (PLA) were rectally administered during fasting and postprandial conditions (oral glucose load). Before and for two hours after colonic infusions, indirect calorimetry was performed and blood samples were collected. All three SCFA mixtures increased fasting fat oxidation (P <0.01), whilst resting energy expenditure increased after HA and HP compared with PLA (P <0.05). In addition, all three SCFA mixtures increased fasting and postprandial plasma peptide YY (PYY) concentrations, and attenuated fasting free glycerol concentrations versus PLA (P <0.05). Colonic infusions of SCFA mixtures, in concentrations and ratios reached after fibre intake, increased fat oxidation, energy expenditure and PYY, and decreased lipolysis in overweight/obese men. Human intervention studies are warranted to investigate whether these effects translate into long-term benefits for body weight control and insulin sensitivity in the obese insulin resistant state.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2360
Number of pages12
JournalScientific Reports
Volume7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 May 2017

Keywords

  • GLUCAGON-LIKE PEPTIDE-1
  • INSULIN SENSITIVITY
  • ULCERATIVE-COLITIS
  • ADIPOSE-TISSUE
  • FOOD-INTAKE
  • OLETF RATS
  • ACETATE
  • HUMANS
  • PROPIONATE
  • OXIDATION

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