Abstract
Acetate, propionate, and butyrate are naturally-occurring short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) derived from bacterial metabolism of dietary fibre and have been associated with numerous positive health outcomes. All three acids have been shown to offer unique physiological and metabolic effects and, therefore, could be targeted for co-ingestion as part of a nutritional/medicinal plan. However, a better understanding of the outcomes of supplementing in combination on circulating concentration profiles is necessary to confirm uptake efficacy. This study sought to investigate the acute circulating concentration profiles of acetate, propionate, and butyrate following oral supplementation. Three experimental trials were conducted including investigations to understand the impact of capsule coating on circulating concentration profiles, the effect of supplementation dose on uptake kinetics, and the outcome of a short, repeated, supplementation routine on circulating levels. Serum samples were analysed for SCFA content using a quantitative GC-MS assay. It was observed that an acid-resistant coated capsule caused a delayed and blunted blood concentration response, with the non-acid resistant trial displaying earlier and more intense peak serum concentrations. For dose comparison investigations, all SCFAs peaked within 60 min and returned to baseline concentrations by 120 min post-supplementation. A graded dose relationship was present for propionate and butyrate when considering the total circulating exposure across a 240 min monitoring period. In addition, a one-week, twice-daily, repeated supplementation protocol resulted in no changes in basal serum SCFA concentrations. Overall, these data indicate that acetate, propionate, and butyrate display relatively similar circulating concentration profiles following oral co-ingestion, adding knowledge to help inform supplementation strategies for future outcomes where acute elevation of circulating SCFAs is desired.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 11525-11536 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Food & Function |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 23 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 25 Nov 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors would like to thank Lonza and BodyBio for providing in-kind support through the provision of empty capsules and sodium butyrate supplements, respectively. We thank the participants for their time and commitment to volunteer in this study. This is a summary of independent research funded by the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences (Loughborough University) and carried out at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. CGG is supported by a Doctoral Research Scholarship administered by the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences and the Doctoral College at Loughborough University. MLYO is supported by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia and Universiti Sains Malaysia Post-Doctoral Fellowship. SNR is supported by external research funding awarded to LMH from Biopolis S.L. The funders played no role in the study design or execution, nor in the production of this manuscript.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Royal Society of Chemistry.
Keywords
- Humans
- Dietary Supplements
- Fatty Acids, Volatile/blood
- Male
- Adult
- Female
- Young Adult
- Administration, Oral
- Butyrates/blood
- Propionates/blood
- Middle Aged