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Gastrointestinal Tract: Intestinal Fatty Acid Metabolism and Implications for Health

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Health Consequences of Microbial Interactions with Hydrocarbons, Oils, and Lipids

Part of the book series: Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology ((HHLM))

Abstract

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are formed from the fermentation of sugars and complex carbohydrates by gastrointestinal (GI) bacteria in man. Acetate is the most abundant SCFA, with lower amounts of propionate and butyrate formed. Propionate and butyrate are also formed from the products of carbohydrate fermentation by other bacteria, for example, from lactate, succinate, and acetate. SCFA play a role in regulating transit of digesta through the GI tract, and in health by, for example, decreasing the risk of colon cancer (butyrate), and promoting satiety and reducing cholesterol load (propionate). Major butyrate-producing (Roseburia and Faecalibacterium spp.) and propionate-producing (Negativicutes and Bacteroides spp.) bacteria are among the most abundant microbes present in the large intestine. Metabolism of longer-chain fatty acids occurs mainly by hydration or hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids, the pathway depending on the individual. Hydroxystearic acids are formed in the intestine, particularly under disease conditions. Metabolism of linoleic acid results in the formation of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) by several species, including Roseburia hominis and Roseburia inulinivorans. Enhancement of GI CLA formation, possibly using probiotics, may be useful in preventing or treating inflammatory bowel disease and be protective of key health-promoting bacteria such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioscience, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK

    Lesley Hoyles

  2. Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK

    R. John Wallace

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  2. R. John Wallace
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Correspondence to Lesley Hoyles .

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  1. Dept. Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Dept. Microbiology, PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA

    Howard Goldfine

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Hoyles, L., John Wallace, R. (2019). Gastrointestinal Tract: Intestinal Fatty Acid Metabolism and Implications for Health. In: Goldfine, H. (eds) Health Consequences of Microbial Interactions with Hydrocarbons, Oils, and Lipids. Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72473-7_31-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72473-7_31-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-72473-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-72473-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Biomedicine and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences

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