| Theme |
Diet as Etiologic Factors and Therapeutic Tools in Digestive Diseases |
| Title |
The Role of Luminal Nutrition and Microflora for Maintenance of Gastrointestinal Functions |
| Author |
Akira Andoh |
Deparfment of Gastroenterology, Shiga University of Medical Science |
| Author |
Yoshihide Fujiyama |
Deparfment of Gastroenterology, Shiga University of Medical Science |
| [ Summary ] |
Luminal nutrition and microflora are important for the maintenance of gastrointestinal mucosal structures and functions. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are metabolic products of anaerobic bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber and resistant starch, and are particularly important as the preferred respiratory fuel of the colonocytes. A variety of biological effects of SCFAs have been reported, and there is now an increasing number of experimental work showing new aspects of these molecules. For example, in relation to the mechanisms mediating the anti-inflammatory effects of SCFAs, several investigators have identified the inhibitory effects of butyrate on proinflammatory cytokine-induced NF-xB activation. Since NF-xB activation plays a central role in inflammatory responses, the inhibition of NF-xB activation represents the efficacy of dietary fiber and SCFAs in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. |