SCFAs strongly stimulate PYY production in human enteroendocrine cells.

Peptide-YY (PYY) and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) play important roles in the regulation of food intake and insulin secretion, and are of translational interest in the field of obesity and diabetes. PYY production is highest in enteroendocrine cells located in the distal intestine, mirroring the sites where high concentrations of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are produced by gut microbiota. We show here that propionate and butyrate strongly increased expression of PYY but not GCG in human cell line and intestinal primary culture models. The effect was predominantly attributable to the histone deacetylase inhibitory activity of SCFA and minor, but significant contributions of FFA2 (GPR43). Consistent with the SCFA-dependent elevation of PYY gene expression, we also observed increased basal and stimulated PYY hormone secretion. Interestingly, the transcriptional stimulation of PYY was specific to human-derived cell models and not reproduced in murine primary cultures. This is likely due to substantial differences in PYY gene structure between mouse and human. In summary, this study revealed a strong regulation of PYY production by SCFA that was evident in humans but not mice, and suggests that high fibre diets elevate plasma concentrations of the anorexigenic hormone PYY, both by targeting gene expression and hormone secretion.

Butyrate specifically modulates MUC gene expression in intestinal epithelial goblet cells deprived of glucose.

The mucus layer covering the gastrointestinal mucosa is considered the first line of defense against aggressions arising from the luminal content. It is mainly composed of high molecular weight glycoproteins called mucins. Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid produced during carbohydrate fermentation, has been shown to increase mucin secretion. The aim of this study was to test 1) whether butyrate regulates the expression of various MUC genes, which are coding for protein backbones of mucins, and 2) whether this effect depends on butyrate status as the major energy source of colonocytes. Butyrate was provided at the apical side of human polarized colonic goblet cell line HT29-Cl.16E in glucose-rich or glucose-deprived medium. In glucose-rich medium, butyrate significantly increased MUC3 and MUC5B expression (1.6-fold basal level for both genes), tended to decrease MUC5AC expression, and had no effect on MUC2 expression. In glucose-deprived medium, i.e., when butyrate was the only energy source available, MUC3 and MUC5B increase persisted, whereas MUC5AC expression was significantly enhanced (3.7-fold basal level) and MUC2 expression was strikingly increased (23-fold basal level). Together, our findings show that butyrate is able to upregulate colonic mucins at the transcriptional level and even better when it is the major energy source of the cells. Thus the metabolism of butyrate in colonocytes is closely linked to some of its gene-regulating effects. The distinct effects of butyrate according to the different MUC genes could influence the composition and properties of the mucus gel and thus its protective function.

Molecular mechanisms involved in the antiproliferative effect of two COX-2 inhibitors, nimesulide and NS-398, on colorectal cancer cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is up-regulated in most colorectal cancers. Chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which target cyclooxygenases, have been shown to reduce the risk of these cancers. However, the mechanisms underlying this protective effect remain unclear. AIMS: The aim of our study was to characterize the effects of two COX-2 selective inhibitors, NS-398 and nimesulide, on colorectal cancer cell proliferation, and to describe the molecular mechanisms involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HT-29 and SW-1116 cell lines were cultured with either NS-398 or nimesulide. Cell proliferation was assessed by staining DNA with crystal violet. Cell cycle repartition and apoptosis were analysed by flow cytometry. The expression of COX-1 and COX-2. and of two cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors, p21Cip1 and p27Kip1, was analysed by Western blotting and RT-PCR. RESULTS: Both drugs dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation and induced G1 cell cycle blockade. HT-29 cells were more sensitive to both drugs than SW-1116 cells. p21Cip1 and p27Kip1 were induced on both cell lines. Concomitant induction of p21Cip1 mRNA indicates transcriptional modulation, whereas induction of p27Kip1 only at the protein level suggests post-translational modulation. CONCLUSION: NS-398 and nimesulide inhibit colorectal cell proliferation through induction of p21Cip1 and p27Kip1.

Cyclo-oxygenase-2 over-expression in sporadic colorectal carcinoma without lymph node involvement.

BACKGROUND: Cyclo-oxygenase-2 over-expression has been reported in most advanced human colorectal cancers. AIMS: To assess the prevalence of cyclo-oxygenase-2 over-expression in non-advanced colorectal cancers, to investigate the correlation between cyclo-oxygenase-2 status and tumour clinicopathological features and molecular phenotype, and to determine the impact of cyclo-oxygenase-2 status on long-term clinical outcome. METHODS: Sixty-one patients who had undergone surgery for colorectal cancer without lymph node involvement were evaluated retrospectively. Cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. The tumour replication error phenotype was assessed by amplification of the two microsatellites, BAT-25 and BAT-26. RESULTS: Thirty-six tumours were classified as cyclo-oxygenase-2 positive and 25 as cyclo-oxygenase-2 negative. No correlation was found between cyclo-oxygenase-2 over-expression and clinicopathological features or molecular phenotype. Cyclo-oxygenase-2 over-expression was an independent predictor of a poor prognosis. Indeed, the relative risk of tumour recurrence or death for patients with cyclo-oxygenase-2-positive tumours was 2.13 times that of patients with cyclo-oxygenase-2-negative tumours (P=0.008; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-3.73). This difference remained significant when post-operative deaths were censored in the multivariate analysis (P=0.014). CONCLUSION: Cyclo-oxygenase-2 over-expression is not associated with tumour phenotype, but is indicative of a poorer clinical outcome in patients with non-advanced colorectal carcinoma.

Raw potato starch and short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides affect the composition and metabolic activity of rat intestinal microbiota differently depending on the caecocolonic segment involved.

AIMS: In vitro studies have suggested that fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and resistant starch (two fermentable non-digestible carbohydrates) display different fermentation kinetics. This study investigated whether these substrates affect the metabolic activity and bacterial composition of the intestinal microflora differently depending on the caecocolonic segment involved. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighteen rats were fed a low-fibre diet (Basal) or the same diet containing raw potato starch (RPS) (9%) or short-chain FOS (9%) for 14 days. Changes in wet-content weights, bacterial populations and metabolites were investigated in the caecum, proximal and distal colon and faeces. Both substrates exerted a prebiotic effect compared with the Basal diet. However, FOS increased lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAPB) throughout the caecocolon and in faeces, whereas the effect of RPS was limited to the caecum and proximal colon. As compared with RPS, FOS doubled the pool of caecal fermentation products, while the situation was just the opposite distally. This difference was mainly because of the anatomical distribution of lactate, which accumulated in the caecum with FOS and in the distal colon with RPS. Faeces reflected these impacts only partly, showing the prebiotic effect of FOS and the metabolite increase induced by RPS. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that FOS and RPS exert complementary caecocolonic effects. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The RPS and FOS combined ingestion could be beneficial by providing health-promoting effects throughout the caecocolon.

Butyrate metabolism upstream and downstream acetyl-CoA synthesis and growth control of human colon carcinoma cells.

Butyrate is a short chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced by bacterial fermentation of dietary fibers in the colon lumen which severely affects the proliferation of colon cancer cells in in vitro experiments. Although butyrate is able to interfere with numerous cellular targets including cell cycle regulator expression, little is known about butyrate metabolism and its possible involvement in its effect upon colon carcinoma cell growth. In this study, we found that HT-29 Glc-/+ cells strongly accumulated and oxidized sodium butyrate without producing ketone bodies, nor modifying oxygen consumption nor mitochondrial ATP synthesis. HT-29 cells accumulated and oxidized sodium acetate at a higher level than butyrate. However, sodium butyrate, but not sodium acetate, reduced cell growth and increased the expression of the cell cycle effector cyclin D3 and the inhibitor of the G1/S cdk-cyclin complexes p21/WAF1/Cip1, demonstrating that butyrate metabolism downstream of acetyl-CoA synthesis is not required for the growth-restraining effect of this SCFA. Furthermore, HT-29 cells modestly incorporated the 14C-labelled carbon from sodium butyrate into cellular triacylglycerols and phospholipids. This incorporation was greatly increased when D-glucose was present in the incubation medium, corresponding to the capacity of hexose to circulate in the pentose phosphate pathway allowing NADPH synthesis required for lipogenesis. Interestingly, when HT-29 cells were cultured in the presence of sodium butyrate, their capacity to incorporate 14C-labelled sodium butyrate into triacylglycerols and phospholipids was increased more than twofold. In such experimental conditions, HT-29 cells when observed under an electronic microscope, were found to be characterized by an accumulation of lipid droplets in the cytosol. Our data strongly suggest that butyrate acts upon colon carcinoma cells upstream of acetyl-CoA synthesis. In contrast, the metabolism downstream of acetyl-CoA [i.e. oxidation in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and lipid synthesis] likely acts as a regulator of butyrate intracellular concentration.

Short-chain fatty acids induce cytoskeletal and extracellular protein modifications associated with modulation of proliferation on primary culture of rat intestinal smooth muscle cells.

Short-chain fatty acids are the main end products of bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates. Their role on the metabolism and biology of colonocytes is now well characterized. However, the functional consequences of their presence on intestinal smooth muscle cells remain poorly studied. We aimed to assess the effect of different short-chain fatty acids on ileal and colonic smooth muscle cells in primary culture and on A7R5 line. Butyrate (above 0.1 mM) inhibited A7R5 cell proliferation, while at low concentration (0.05 to 0.5 mM) butyrate significantly stimulated the proliferation of ileal and colonic myocytes in primary culture. An inhibition was observed at higher concentrations. Collagenous and noncollagenous protein synthesis was stimulated by butyrate. Moreover, butyrate stimulated actin and myosin expression. Thus, butyrate, which is produced by dietary fiber fermentation, may affect intestinal muscles by directly acting at the molecular level on myocytes.

Butyrate inhibits inflammatory responses through NFkappaB inhibition: implications for Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Proinflammatory cytokines are key factors in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). Activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB), which is involved in their gene transcription, is increased in the intestinal mucosa of CD patients. As butyrate enemas may be beneficial in treating colonic inflammation, we investigated if butyrate promotes this effect by acting on proinflammatory cytokine expression. METHODS: Intestinal biopsy specimens, isolated lamina propria cells (LPMC), and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were cultured with or without butyrate for assessment of secretion of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and mRNA levels. NFkappaB p65 activation was determined by immunofluorescence and gene reporter experiments. Levels of NFkappaB inhibitory protein (IkappaBalpha) were analysed by western blotting. The in vivo efficacy of butyrate was assessed in rats with trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis. RESULTS: Butyrate decreased TNF production and proinflammatory cytokine mRNA expression by intestinal biopsies and LPMC from CD patients. Butyrate abolished lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced expression of cytokines by PBMC and transmigration of NFkappaB from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. LPS induced NFkappaB transcriptional activity was decreased by butyrate while IkappaBalpha levels were stable. Butyrate treatment also improved TNBS induced colitis. CONCLUSIONS: Butyrate decreases proinflammatory cytokine expression via inhibition of NFkappaB activation and IkappaBalpha degradation. These anti-inflammatory properties provide a rationale for assessing butyrate in the treatment of CD.

Butyrate and trichostatin A effects on the proliferation/differentiation of human intestinal epithelial cells: induction of cyclin D3 and p21 expression.

BACKGROUND: Sodium butyrate, a product of colonic bacterial fermentation, is able to inhibit cell proliferation and to stimulate cell differentiation of colonic epithelial cell lines. It has been proposed that these cellular effects could be linked to its ability to cause hyperacetylation of histone through the inhibition of histone deacetylase. AIM: To analyse the molecular mechanisms of butyrate action on cell proliferation/differentiation and to compare them with those of trichostatin A, a well known inhibitor of histone deacetylase. METHODS: HT-29 cells were grown in the absence or presence of butyrate or trichostatin A. Cell proliferation and cell cycle distribution were studied after DNA staining by crystal violet and propidium iodide respectively. Cell cycle regulatory proteins were studied by western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Cell differentiation was followed by measuring brush border enzyme activities. Histone acetylation was studied by acid/urea/Triton acrylamide gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Butyrate blocked cells mainly in the G(1) phase of the cell cycle, whereas trichostatin A was inhibitory in both G(1) and G(2) phases. Butyrate inhibited the mRNA expression of cyclin D1 without affecting its protein expression and stimulated the protein expression of cyclin D3 without affecting its mRNA expression. Trichostatin A showed similar effects on cyclin D1 and D3. Butyrate and trichostatin A stimulated p21 expression both at the mRNA and protein levels, whereas their effects on the expression of cyclin dependent kinases were slightly different. Moreover, butyrate strongly stimulated the activity of alkaline phosphatase and dipeptidyl peptidase IV, whereas trichostatin A had no effect. Finally, a six hour exposure to butyrate or trichostatin A induced histone H4 hyperacetylation. At 15 and 24 hours, histone H4 remained hyperacetylated in the presence of butyrate, whereas it returned to control levels in the presence of trichostatin A. CONCLUSIONS: The data may explain how butyrate acts on cell proliferation/differentiation, and they show that trichostatin A does not reproduce every effect of butyrate, mainly because of its shorter half life.

Pathways and receptors involved in peptide YY induced contraction of rat proximal colonic muscle in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Peptide YY (PYY) is involved in the regulation of several gut functions, including secretion and motility. It exerts its effects through a family of six receptors, commonly named the Y receptor family. AIMS: To characterise the effects of PYY on strips of rat proximal colon in vitro, and to determine the pathways and receptors involved. METHODS: Contractions of strips removed from the muscle layer of rat proximal colon were recorded under isometric conditions, using PYY, Y receptor agonists and antagonists, and nerve blockers. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was also performed to detect the presence of mRNA coding for Y receptors. Finally, smooth muscle cells were isolated to estimate the cell length and intracellular Ca(2+) concentration in the presence and absence of PYY. RESULTS: PYY, neuropeptide Y (NPY), pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and [Leu31,Pro34]NPY induced a dose dependent contraction of strips from proximal colon. Tetrodotoxin partially inhibited the PYY and NPY induced contractions, and strongly inhibited the PP induced contraction. Specific antagonists showed the involvement of cholinergic nicotinic receptors and NK1 receptor. BIBP 3226, a specific Y1 antagonist, did not modify the colonic smooth muscle response to PYY, whereas blocking L-type Ca(2+) channels with D-600 abolished its effects. Moreover, PYY induced an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, associated with a reduction in cell length. mRNA encoding Y1 and Y4 receptors were detected in the muscle strips. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that PYY stimulates colonic contractile activity in vitro through (a) a nervous Y4 dependent pathway and (b) a pathway involving a potential new receptor on myocytes.

Prolonged intake of fructo-oligosaccharides induces a short-term elevation of lactic acid-producing bacteria and a persistent increase in cecal butyrate in rats.

While the prebiotic effects of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), short-chain polymers of fructose, have been thoroughly described after 2-3 wk of ingestion, effects after intake for several months are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that these effects would differ after ingestion for short and long periods in rats. Rats were fed a basal low-fiber diet (Basal) or the same diet containing 9 g/100 g of FOS for 2, 8 or 27 wk, and cecal contents were collected at the end of each time period. Cecal short-chain fatty acid concentration was higher in rats fed FOS than in those fed Basal, and this effect persisted over time: 83.8 +/- 4.1 vs. 62.4 +/- 6.5 micromol/g at 2 wk and 103.5 +/- 5.8 vs. 73.2 +/- 7.4 micromol/g at 27 wk (P < 0.05). The molar butyrate ratio was higher in rats fed FOS regardless of the time period (14.8 +/- 0.6% vs. 6.7 +/- 1.1% at 27 wk, P < 0.05). Lactate concentration in rats fed FOS was elevated after 2 wk and then decreased: 63.5 +/- 21.6 micromol/g at 2 wk vs. 8.8 +/- 3.3 micromol/g at 8 wk (P < 0.05). After 2 wk, FOS increased the concentrations of total lactic acid-producing bacteria, and Lactobacillus sp. (P < 0.05), without modifying total anaerobes. However, most of these effects were abolished after 8 and 27 wk of FOS consumption. In the long term, the FOS-induced increase in intestinal lactic acid-producing bacteria was lost, but the butyrogenic properties of FOS were maintained.

Biological properties of ulvan, a new source of green seaweed sulfated polysaccharides, on cultured normal and cancerous colonic epithelial cells.

Ulvans (from Ulva lactuca) constitute a dietary fiber structurally similar to the mammalian glycosaminoglycans but with unexplored biological or cytotoxic activities. From native low-viscosity preparations containing 33.5 molar % and 18.4 molar % of sulfate residues and uronic acid residues, respectively, we derived desulfated, reduced and desulfated-reduced polysaccharides with respectively 5.2, 2.9, and 4.5-4.9 molar % of sulfate residues and uronic acid residues. The effects of these preparations were examined on the adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of normal or tumoral colonic epithelial cells cultured in conventional (0.3-0.8 x 10(6) cells/ml) or rotating bioreactor (3-8 x 10(6) cells/ml) culture conditions. In conventional culture conditions, ulvan modified the adhesion phase and the proliferation of normal colonic cells and undifferentiated HT-29 cells according to their molecular weights and to the relative molar proportion of sulfate residues. From the native polysaccharides, we have screened sulfated ulvans (MW < 5,000) which inhibited the Caco-2 cell proliferation/differentiation program by inducing a low cell reactivity to Ulex europeaus-1 lectins in defined (p < 0.001) or serum-supplemented media (p < 0.01) but were inactive on normal colonocytes. In conclusion, this dietary fiber could be a source of oligosaccharides with a bioactivity, a cytotoxicity or a cytostaticity targeted to normal or cancerous epithelial cells.

Lack of interleukin 10 regulation of antigen presentation-associated molecules expressed on colonic epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Colonic epithelial cells may behave as antigen-presenting cells. Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is known to play a major role in the intestinal immune system; however, it remains to be determined whether human intestinal epithelial cells express IL-10 receptor, and whether this cytokine modulates their expression of antigen presentation-associated molecules. METHODS: The binding of biotinylated IL-10 was studied in SW 1116, HT-29 and T84 human colonic epithelial cell lines and freshly isolated normal colonic epithelial cells. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was also performed to detect IL-10 receptor mRNA. The effect of IL-10 on antigen presentation associated molecules was assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Biotinylated IL-10 bound to SW 1116, HT-29, T84, and normal colonic epithelial cells. IL-10 receptor mRNA was detected in SW 1116 and normal epithelial cells. SW 1116 and HT-29 cells expressed MHC class I and ICAM-1, but not CD80, and SW 1116 constitutively expressed HLA-DR. Interferon-gamma up-regulated HLA-DR and ICAM-1 expression on both cells, whereas lipopolysaccharide increased ICAM-1 expression only on SW 1116. IL-10 failed to modulate these antigens, even after stimulation by lipopolysaccharide or interferon-gamma. Moreover, these molecules decreased IL-10 binding in both lines. CONCLUSION: The presence of IL-10 receptor on intestinal epithelial cells suggest that IL-10 may play a role in mucosal physiology, however its effect on the immune response remains to be determined.

Enhancement of butyrate production in the rat caecocolonic tract by long-term ingestion of resistant potato starch.

Some data suggest that the colonic microflora may adapt to produce more butyrate if given time and the proper substrate. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effect of prolonged feeding of resistant potato starch on butyrate production. Rats were fed on either a low-fibre diet (basal) or the same diet supplemented with 90 g resistant potato starch/kg (PoS) for 0.5, 2 and 6 months. Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations were determined in caecal and colonic contents at the end of each ingestion period. Total SCFA concentration increased over time throughout the caecocolonic tract with PoS, but was not modified with the basal diet. While propionate concentration was unchanged, butyrate concentration was highly increased by PoS at each time period in both the caecum and colon. Moreover, the butyrogenic effect of PoS increased over time, and the amount of butyrate was increased 6-fold in the caecum and proximal colon and 3-fold in the distal colon after 6 months compared with 0.5 months. Accordingly, the ratio butyrate:- total SCFA increased over time throughout the caecocolonic tract (12.6 (SE 2.8) v. 28 (SE 1.8)% in the caecum, 10.5 (SE 1.4) v. 26.8 (SE 0.9)% in the proximal colon, and 7.3 (SE 2.4) v. 23.9 (SE 2.7)% in the distal colon at 0.5 v. 6 months respectively), while the proportion of acetate decreased. Neither the proportion nor the concentration of butyrate was modified over time with the basal diet. Butyrate production was thus promoted by long-term ingestion of PoS, from the caecum towards the distal colon, which suggests that a slow adaptive process occurs within the digestive tract in response to a chronic load of indigestible carbohydrates.

Elevated plasma leptin concentrations in early stages of experimental intestinal inflammation in rats.

BACKGROUND: Although leptin, an adipocyte derived hormone which regulates food intake and energy balance, is released after injections of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 1, plasma concentrations have not been characterised in chronic inflammation. Leptin may contribute to the anorexia and body weight loss associated particularly with the acute stages of inflammatory bowel disease. AIMS: To investigate plasma leptin concentrations during the time course of intestinal inflammation in different animal models. METHODS: Plasma leptin was measured at different time points in rats with trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis, indomethacin induced ileitis, or endotoxic shock caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Systemic TNF-alpha was also measured during acute inflammation. RESULTS: Plasma leptin concentrations increased fourfold eight hours after induction of TNBS colitis (p<0.0001) and twofold after administration of ethanol alone (p<0.02). Plasma leptin responses throughout the first post-treatment day were correlated with myeloperoxidase activity and gross damage scores. Similar leptin overexpression was observed in indomethacin induced ileitis and in rats with endotoxic shock. Plasma concentrations were lower in TNBS treated rats than in controls on day 5 before reaching a similar concentration on day 14. Anorexia and body weight loss were observed during the first four days post-TNBS. A significant increase in systemic TNF-alpha was only detected in LPS treated rats. CONCLUSION: Elevated plasma leptin concentrations, correlated with the degree of inflammation and associated with anorexia, were induced in rats during the early stages of experimental intestinal inflammation but proved transient; this might account for discrepancies in recent results concerning concentrations in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Comparison of the effect of different short chain fatty acids on the growth and differentiation of human colonic carcinoma cell lines in vitro.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of acetate, propionate, butyrate, iso-butyrate, valerate, iso-valerate and caproate on cell growth and on the activities of alkaline phosphatase (AP) and dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV (DPP IV) by three human colonic adenocarcinoma cell lines. In addition to butyrate, propionate and valerate inhibited cell proliferation of the three cell lines. The other SCFAs did not influence cell proliferation. AP and DPP IV activities were strongly stimulated by butyrate on two of the three cell lines. On HT-29, AP was strongly stimulated, however DPPIV expression remained undetectable. Propionate and valerate exhibited a weaker stimulation, the other SCFAs being ineffective. The effect of SCFAs on cell proliferation and differentiation clearly depends on the number of carbons and on the configuration of the basic structure of the molecule.

Treatment of rat proximal and distal colonic cells with sodium orthovanadate enhances their adhesion and survival in primary culture.

We have studied the effect of sodium orthovanadate, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases, on primary cultures of colonocytes and stromal cells. Everted proximal and distal colonic tissue of adult rats were disintegrated by a collagenase/dispase solution for 60 min at 37 degrees C to prepare viable gland fragments and isolated cells. Cell preparations were inoculated onto plastic substratum or cytodex-3 microcarriers in a defined maintenance medium or in 1% fetal calf serum media. Incorporation of sodium orthovanadate (> or = 50 microM) in these media constantly enhanced the survival (cell enumeration and trypan blue exclusion P < 0.05) and the adhesion (up to four-fold by crystal violet staining, P < 0.01) of colonocytes (characterized by cytokeratin-18, transforming growth factor-alpha or alkaline phosphatase expression) and stromal cells. Removal of sodium orthovanadate from culture media restored cellular death processes. Incorporation of 10 mM n-butyric acid did not promote cell adhesion and survival except for distal cells exposed to 2 mM sodium orthovanadate. Besides studies in the regulation of anoikis in primary culture, the model will help to assay the influences of dietary and growth factors on the biology of non-cancerous colonic cells.

Butyrate stimulates cyclin D and p21 and inhibits cyclin-dependent kinase 2 expression in HT-29 colonic epithelial cells.

Sodium butyrate, a product of colonic fermentation of dietary fiber, has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation by blocking the cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. However, its mechanism of action is still unknown. We found that butyrate strongly stimulated cyclin D and p21/WAF1/CIP1 expression in HT-29 human colonic adenocarcinoma cells, in a dose dependent manner. These stimulations were associated with a decrease in cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) 2 level, whereas cdk4 and cdk6 remained unchanged. Our results suggest that the inhibition of cell cycle progression by sodium butyrate may be explained by a modulation of cell cycle regulatory proteins such as cyclin D and p21.

Effects of short-chain fatty acids on gastrointestinal motility.

Besides their action on gut morphology and function, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), produced by bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates in the colon, influence gastrointestinal motility. As they are not present in the stomach and proximal small intestine, SCFAs do not directly affect motility of these segments. However, caecal infusion of SCFAs as well as colonic fermentation of lactulose induce a relaxation of the proximal stomach in humans, indicating that SCFAs can affect motility at a distance from their site of production. Moreover, this suggests that SCFAs may be involved in the so-called "ileocolonic brake', i.e. the inhibition of gastric emptying by nutrients reaching the ileo-colonic junction. In the terminal ileum, where their concentration may increase following a colo-ileal reflux, SCFAs stimulate contractions and shorten ileal emptying, which may protect ileal mucosa against the potentially harmful effects of the reflux of colonic contents. Although SCFAs are produced and concentrated in the colon, their action on motility of this organ is not clearly understood and may depend on concentration, molecular structure of the acids, responsiveness of the colonic segments and animal species. The mechanisms of action of SCFAs on gastrointestinal motility are not completely elucidated. They may involve systemic humoral and neural pathways as well as local reflexes and myogenic responses.