Fasting serum concentration of short-chain fatty acids in subjects with microscopic colitis and celiac disease: no difference compared with controls, but between genders

Abstract

Background. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly propionic and butyric acids, have been shown to have many positive health effects. The amount and type of SCFAs formed from dietary fibre by the colonic microbiota depends on the substrate available and is reflected in blood. The total intake and type of dietary fibre in people with gastrointestinal diseases differs considerably from healthy subjects. Objective. To compare fasting SCFA concentrations in subjects with microscopic colitis (MC), celiac disease and controls without these diseases. SCFAs were also analysed over 6.5 h in young healthy subjects, who had eaten a fibre-rich breakfast, to identify a possible peak concentration of SCFAs after a meal. Methods. SCFAs in serum were pre-concentrated using hollow fibre-supported liquid membrane extraction and gas chromatography. Results. The MC group had a higher concentration of valeric acid than the control group (p < 0.01). No significant differences in other SCFA concentrations were seen between groups, but the control group tended to have higher concentration of acetic acid (p = 0.1). Furthermore, males had higher concentrations of SCFAs (with the exception of valeric acid) than females (p < 0.05), which were independent of groups. The peaks for acetic, propionic and butyric acids came approximately 5 h, 6.5 h and 2–3 h, respectively, after breakfast. Conclusion. The fasting concentrations of SCFAs were quite similar, although the fibre intake had probably been quite different for a long time. The results might have been different if SCFAs had been recorded over a longer period.

Key Words::

• celiac disease
• dietary fibre
• gender
• microscopic colitis
• SCFA

Acknowledgements

This study was financed by Øresund Food and the Antidiabetic Food Centre, a VINNOVA VINN Excellence Center at Lund University. G Jakobsdottir, JH Bjerregaard, H Skovbjerg and ME Nyman designed the study; G Jakobsdottir conducted the research and analysed the data; JH Bjerregaard and H Skovbjerg reviewed the article critically; G Jakobsdottir. and M Nyman wrote the paper and were responsible for final content. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.