Ragna Husby Tingstad, Oliwia Witczak, Siver Beajani, Seung Hee Seo, Nils Gunnar Løvsletten, Christine Skagen, Mari Charlotte Wik Myhrstad, Vibeke Helen Telle-Hansen, Lars Eide, Arild Christian Rustan, Vigdis Aas
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Impact of Short-Chain Fatty Acids on Glucose, Fatty Acid and Leucine Metabolism in Primary Human Myotubes
Introduction
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are small molecule metabolites mainly produced during microbial fermentation of dietary fibre in the gut and have been shown to have a beneficial impact on human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of SCFAs on human skeletal muscle energy metabolism.
Methods
Primary human myotubes were analysed for glucose and fatty acid (oleic acid) metabolism, as well as insulin sensitivity and protein synthesis in the presence or absence of SCFAs.
Results
The most pronounced effects of SCFAs were observed on 14C-oleic acid uptake and oxidation, as well as 14C-leucine uptake and protein synthesis, following butyrate treatment. Butyrate increased 14C-leucine accumulation twofold, potentially due to protein incorporation. On the other hand, the conversion of 14C-leucine into free fatty acids was reduced by more than 50% by butyrate. Both 14C-acetate and 14C-butyrate were shown to be taken up and utilised by primary human myotubes. None of the SCFAs were found to influence glucose metabolism or insulin effects.
Conclusion
The results from the current study thus suggest that among the SCFAs, butyrate emerges as the most powerful SCFA in regulating primary human myotube metabolism.