The role of short-chain fatty acids in inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer

Abstract

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced in the human colon are the major products of bacterial fermentation and are believed that they have a protective effect in case of gastrointestinal diseases. SCFAs, such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate are significant metabolites in intestinal homeostasis, and have been shown to be beneficial in inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer. SCFA are responsible for maintaining proper intestinal barrier and they take part in relevant immune functions. Action of SCFAs is dependent on the activation of protein receptors for receptor activation (GPCR) such as GPR41, GPR43 and GPR109A. In this review, we discuss the effects of SCFA on the intestinal mucosa in terms of inflammatory diseases and colorectal cancer.