Correlation between faecal iso-butyric and iso-valeric acids in different species

It is generally accepted that gastrointestinal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) - acetic, propionic and butyric acid - are mostly derived from carbohydrates, while iso-butyric and iso-valeric acids are from protein sources. We have investigated the faecal SCFAs and the correlation between the branche...

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Published inMicrobial ecology in health and disease Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 177 - 182
Main Authors Cardona, Maria E., Collinder, Eje, Stern, Susanne, Tjellström, Bo, Norin, Elisabeth, Midtvedt, Tore
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Informa UK Ltd 01.01.2005
Taylor & Francis
Subjects
diet
environment
iso-butyric acid
iso-valeric acid
short-chain fatty acids
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Summary:It is generally accepted that gastrointestinal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) - acetic, propionic and butyric acid - are mostly derived from carbohydrates, while iso-butyric and iso-valeric acids are from protein sources. We have investigated the faecal SCFAs and the correlation between the branched-chain fatty acids iso-butyric and iso-valeric in humans, rats, horses and pigs. The subjects were of different ages, fed on different diets and housed in different environments. High differences in the total output of SCFAs were observed within and between species. Despite these differences, a remarkable correlation between the iso-butyric and the iso-valeric acids was found. The fact that the correlation is strong irrespective of species, age, diet and living conditions indicates a common source actually reaching the hindgut. We hypothesize that this source is intestinal sloughed cells.
ISSN:0891-060X
1651-2235
1651-2235
DOI:10.1080/08910600500356265