Anti-inflammatory roles of dietary fiber and short-chain fatty acids as regards inflammatory bowel diseases

Dietary fiber and resistant re broken down in the human colon, and this pro achieved by the many species of intestinal anaerobic microflora (fermentation). Via this process, short chain-fatty acids (SCFAs) (acetate, propionate and butyrate) are generated. SCFAs are the preferred fuel of the colonic epithelium. In response to stress or inflammatory and immune responses, mammalian cells rapidly send a transcription factor called NF-kappaB into the nucleus, and sodium butyrate potently inhibits TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation. This action correlates with the inhibitory effects of sodium butyrate on various inflammatory gene responses. Based on these findings, a variety of clinical applications of butyrate have been reported. Butyrate enema had significant therapeutic effects on TNBS-induced experimental colitis. The enema consisting of 100 ml SCFAs was tried in UC patients. The efficacy of this treatment was less convincing in UC patients than experimental colitis. In several studies, inflammation was decreased by as much as 60% and the infiltration of polynuclear leukocytes was also decreased. It is likely that increase in luminal concentrations of SCFAs and prolonged contact may be necessary for treatment of UC patients. In another study demonstrated oral butyrate treatment Increased the efficacy of oral mesalazine in active UC patients.