Short chain fatty acids (SCFA), especially butyrate, play central metabolic
roles in maintaining the mucosal barrier in the gut. A lack of SCFA, leadi
ng to endogenous starvation of enterocytes, may be the cause of ulcerative
colitis and other inflammatory conditions. The main source of SCFA is dieta
ry fibre, but they can also be derived from structured lipids, e.g. tributy
rin. Once absorbed by non-ionic diffusion or carrier-mediated anion exchang
es, SCFA are either used locally as fuel for the enterocytes or enter the p
ortal bloodstream. Butyrate has been shown to increase wound healing and to
reduce inflammation in the small intestine. In the colon, butyrate is the
dominant energy source for epithelial cells and affects cellular proliferat
ion and differentiation by yet unknown mechanisms. Recent data suggest that
the luminal provision of butyrate may be an appropriate means to improve w
ound healing in intestinal surgery and to ameliorate symptoms of inflammato
ry bowel diseases.