Open AccessColonic infusions of short-chain fatty acid mixtures promote energy metabolism in overweight/obese men: a randomized crossover trial
Author(s) -
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
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
scientific reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.24
H-Index - 213
ISSN - 2045-2322
DOI - 10.1038/s41598-017-02546-x
Subject(s) - overweight , crossover study , randomized controlled trial , medicine , energy metabolism , obesity , fatty acid , short chain fatty acid , fatty acid metabolism , endocrinology , metabolism , gastroenterology , chemistry , biochemistry , fermentation , pathology , placebo , alternative medicine , butyrate
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.