• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.175-183
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• 2002

To compare the effects of various types of dietary fiber on microbial production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and on colon cell proliferation which is used as an intermediate biomarker for colon carcinogenesis, groups of 10 male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed one of four fiber-supplemented diets (6% cellulose, 6% pectin, 6% polydextrose, and a mixture of 3% cellulose and 3% polydextrose) for three weeks. As a control, a fiber-free diet was fed to a separate group of 10 rats. Cell proliferation was measured by in vivo incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine into DNA in the proximal and distal colon, respectively. Luminal concentrations of SCFA were measured by gas chromatography. Dietary fiber significantly influenced microbial production of SCFA in the colon; pectin supplementation produced the highest concentrations of luminal SCFA in both the proximal and distal colon (p<0.05). The degree of individual SCFA production was characterized by a relatively higher increase in butyrate production by the pectin-supplemented diet, and in propionate production by the polydextrose-supplemented diet, resulting in alterations of the molar ratios of acetate, propionate and butyrate. There were significant differences in colon cell proliferation among the diet groups; the pectin-supplemented diet produced a significantly higher effect on cell proliferation of distal colonic epithelial cells (p＜0.05), and the polydextrose-supplemented diet produced an intermediate effect compared to the fiber-free or cellulose-supplemented diet. Increased cell proliferation was correlated to increased luminal concentrations of butyrate in the proximal colon and to increased luminal concentrations of propionate and butyrate in the distal colon (p<0.05). Therefore, these data suggest that dietary fiber may modulate colon cell proliferation by altering luminal SCFA concentrations, particularly butyrate and perhaps propionate. In addition, the present study is the first finding that has demonstrated a relative increase in colon cell proliferation due to supplementation with polydextrose, suggesting that the overuse of this artificially synthesized polysaccharide in food processing technology needs to be carefully evaluated from the public health point of view.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.849-856
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• 2023

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate, propionate, and acetate produced by the gut microbiota have been implicated in physiological responses (defense mechanisms, immune responses, and cell metabolism) in the human body. In several types of cancers, SCFAs, especially butyrate, suppress tumor growth and cancer cell metastasis via the regulation of the cell cycle, autophagy, cancer-related signaling pathways, and cancer cell metabolism. In addition, combination treatment with SCFAs and anticancer drugs exhibits synergistic effects, increasing anticancer treatment efficiency and attenuating anticancer drug resistance. Therefore, in this review, we point out the importance of SCFAs and the mechanisms underlying their effects in cancer treatment and suggest using SCFA-producing microbes and SCFAs to increase therapeutic efficacy in several types of cancers.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.277-288
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• 2014

T cells are central players in the regulation of adaptive immunity and immune tolerance. In the periphery, T cell differentiation for maturation and effector function is regulated by a number of factors. Various factors such as antigens, co-stimulation signals, and cytokines regulate T cell differentiation into functionally specialized effector and regulatory T cells. Other factors such as nutrients, micronutrients, nuclear hormones and microbial products provide important environmental cues for T cell differentiation. A mounting body of evidence indicates that the microbial metabolites short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have profound effects on T cells and directly and indirectly regulate their differentiation. We review the current status of our understanding of SCFA functions in regulation of peripheral T cell activity and discuss their impact on tissue inflammation.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2006

We investigated the effects of fructooligosaccharides and chicory inulin on the profiles of cecal and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and fecal bile acids in rats. Thirty-six Sprague Dawley male rats weighing about 190 g were randomly divided among four treatments; control diet, control diet +6%(w/w) fructooligosaccharide (POS), control diet +6% chicory inulin oligosaccharide(CIOS), and control diet +6% chicory inulin(CI). The rats were pair-fed and experimental diets were maintained for 5 weeks. Cecal and fecal pH was significantly decreased in rats that were fed fructooligosaccharides and chicory inulin. Cecal propionate was significantly elevated in rats fed CIOS diets, and butyrate was lower in rats fed FOS and CI than control values. Cecal lactate was significantly higher in the FOS group than in the control group. The fecal excretions of acetate and total SCFA were 200-300% higher in rats that were fed fructooligosaccharides and chicory inulin than in the control group. Lactate excretion was highest in rats that were fed FOS, followed by those fed CIOS and CI. The cholic acid and total bile acid concentrations in feces were significantly lower in the rats that were fed fructooligosaccharides and chicory inulin. The deoxycholic acid concentrations in wet feces were significantly lower in the groups of rats that ate CIOS (0.186 mM), FOS (0.274 mM), and CI (0.362 mM) than in the control group (0.595 mM). Among the fructans, short-chain fructooligosaccharide was more effective at decreasing colonic pH and lactate production, but medium-chain chicory inulin oligosaccharide was more effective at increasing fecal butyrate and lowering the fecal secondary bile acid concentration.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.173-176
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• 1992

Non-absorbable substances in foods, for instance dietary fiber had been previously known as a non-nutritive part of foods. Recently , such a category has been gradually changed to as one of nutrients, As a main reason, dietary fibers includes many poly-or oligo-saccharides, which as resistant to alimentary hydrolyzing enzyme, However, parts of them are fermented by intestinal micro-organism to produce short chain fatty acids and so on. They are absorbed and utilized by human being. Now, it may be naturally accepted that dietary fiber is a kind of nutrients. Dietary fiber exerts many useful functions on body. They are classified into three large function , physicochemical function, physiological function and biological function. The last function of dietary fiber will be presented in the symphosium. Dietary fiber has several kinds of nutritional properties. One is energy source. Short chain fatty acids(SCFA) are oxidized and produced energy in body. Dietary fiber has not high energy, but not zero kilocalories. Another one is to be a constitutional component of higher animals' tissue. Last but most important one is physiological functions of dietary fiber.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.7
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• pp.404-409
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• 2023

This study investigates the relationship between cancer cachexia and the gut microbiota, focusing on the influence of cancer on microbial composition. Lewis lung cancer cell allografts were used to induce cachexia in mice, and body and muscle weight changes were monitored. Fecal samples were collected for targeted metabolomic analysis for short chain fatty acids and microbiome analysis. The cachexia group exhibited lower alpha diversity and distinct beta diversity in gut microbiota, compared to the control group. Differential abundance analysis revealed higher Bifidobacterium and Romboutsia, but lower Streptococcus abundance in the cachexia group. Additionally, lower proportions of acetate and butyrate were observed in the cachexia group. The study observed that the impact of cancer cachexia on gut microbiota and their generated metabolites was significant, indicating a host-to-gut microbiota axis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1975-1984
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• 2020

Objective: The study was conducted to determine the effects of body weight (BW) and fiber sources on nutrient digestibility, fiber fermentation and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentration in different intestinal segments of growing pigs fed high-fiber diets. Methods: Nine barrows with initial BW of 25.17±0.73 kg and 9 barrows with initial BW of 63.47±2.18 kg were allotted to a duplicate 9×2 Youden Square design with 3 dietary treatments and 2 periods. The dietary treatments were formulated with 3 different high-fiber ingredients: corn bran, sugar beet pulp, and soybean hulls, respectively. Each diet was fed to 3 barrows with different stage of BW in each period. Results: There were no differences in the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of most nutrients between pigs at different BW stages. Pigs at 60 kg had greater (p<0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of total dietary fiber (TDF), soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), and had greater (p<0.05) hindgut disappearance of IDF and cellulose than pigs at 25 kg. The acetate, propionate and total SCFA concentrations in ileal digesta and feces of pigs at 60 kg were greater (p<0.05) than those of pigs at 25 kg. In addition, fiber sources affected (p<0.05) the AID of gross energy (GE), organic matter (OM), ether extract (EE), crude protein, SDF and hemicellulose, the hindgut disappearance and ATTD of dietary fiber components, the lactate and propionate concentrations in ileal digesta and the butyrate, valerate and total SCFA concentrations in feces. There were interactions (p<0.05) between BW and fiber sources on the AID of GE, OM, EE, SDF, hemicellulose, the ATTD of EE, TDF, and IDF, and the hindgut disappearance of SDF and hemicellulose. Conclusion: Increasing BW mainly improved the digestibility of dietary fiber fractions, and the dietary fiber sources influenced the digestibility of almost all the dietary nutrients in growing pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.117-123
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• 2002

This study was carried out to find the difference in flavor compounds between cholesterol-reduced Cheddar cheese slurries and control sample. The cheeses were made by 3 different treatments as followings: 1) Control (no homogenization, no ${\beta}$-CD), 2) Trt A (1,000 psi milk homogenization, 1% ${\beta}$-CD) and 3) Trt B (cream separation following by 10% ${\beta}$-CD, mixed with skim milk at 1,000 psi homogenization). The cholesterol removals of the cheeses were 79.30% (Trt A) and 91.22% (Trt B). The cheese slurries made by the cheeses were aged at $32^{\circ}C$ for 3 wk. The production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) was significantly increased with storage time in all treatments. Total amount of SCFA was dramatically increased at 2 wk and maintained thereafter in control group. The amounts of acetone and acetaldehyde were slightly increased in control at 3 wk, however, no difference was found in others. Ethanol production was dramatically increased at 1 wk and decreased thereafter in all treatments. Based on our results, cheese slurries for Trt B showed a highest cholesterol removal rate. Although little difference was found in flavor production, lower amount of SCFA was found in Trts A and B in 2 and 3 wk. It may indicate that a certain amount of SCFA is decreased during ${\beta}$-CD treatment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.587-595
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• 2000

The most problems of domestic sewage for BNR(Biological Nutrients Removal) process are deficiency of carbon source and low C/N ratio. Primary sludge fermentation is seemed to be one of the best solutions producing biodegradable organic substrates. Soluble organic materials from sludge fermentation are mainly SCFAs(Short-Chain Fatty Acids) with 2~5 carbon atoms. In this research, it was attempted to apply $A_2/O$ process with the side-stream acid fermenter to improve the nutrients removal efficiency. The result showed that proper SCFAs production is about 3.000mg/L with SRT of 4~5 days. SCFAs yield of approximately 0.10~0.16 mg SCFAs(as COD) per mg of primary sludge(as COD) were achieved. The ratio of acetic. propionic. butyric and valerie acid were 1, 0.7, 0.5 and 0.6. Significant improvements of nutrients removal over 70% in BNR process were observed. thus will reduce the demand for chemical dosing to increase nutrients removal efficiency. When the fermentate was entered $A_2/O$ process, the ratio of phosphate release to substrate uptake amounts to $0.34gPO_4-Pg^{-1}COD$.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.573-580
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• 2005

Cholesterol $7\alpha-hydroxylase$ (CYP7A1) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids and plays a central role in regulating cholesterol homeostasis. We previously showed that a fermentable $\beta-glucan$ ingestion decreased plasma cholesterol levels due to fecal bile acid excretion elevation involved inincrease of cholesterol $7\alpha-hydroxylase$ mRNA expression and activity. It is proposed that short chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced by cecal and colonic fermentation of soluble fiber are associated with cholesterol-lowering effect of fiber. In the present study, we investigated whether CYP7A1 expression is up-regulated by short chain fatty acids or by hormones in cultured human hepatoma (HepG2) cells. Confluent HepG2 cell were incubated with acetate, propionate, or butyrate at 1 mM concentration for 24 hrs. Acetate as well as propionate increased to 1.8-fold expression of CYP7A1 mRNA than the control. Butyrate also increased 1.5-fold expression of CYP7A1 mRNA. Our data show for the first time that SCFA increase expression of CYP7A1 mRNA. Adding insulin, dexamethasone and triiodothyronine $(1\;{\mu}M)$ to HepG2 cell increased the expression of CYP7A1 mRNA to $150\%,\;173\%,\;141\%$, respectively. These results suggest that SCFA produced by cecal fermentation stimulate enteric nervous system, in which secreted some neuropeptides may be responsible for change in cholesterol and bile acid metabolism. These findings suggest that SCFA are involved in lowering plasma cholesterol levels due to the up-regulation of CYP7A1 and bile acid synthesis.