Short-Chain Fatty Acids Modulate Permeability, Motility and Gene Expression in the Porcine Fetal Jejunum Ex Vivo

Abstract

Postnatally, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are important energetic and signaling agents, being involved in host nutrition, gut imprinting and immune and barrier function. Whether SCFA exert similar effects during the late fetal phase has been insufficiently elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate whether the fetal jejunum senses SCFA and whether SCFA modify the muscle tension and epithelial permeability and related signaling in jejunal tissue from the porcine fetus in late gestation. Exposure of fetal jejunal tissue to a mix of SCFA (70 µmol/mL) in an organ bath for 20 min lowered the muscle tension. Moreover, SCFA decreased the transepithelial conductance while increasing the short-circuit current in the Ussing chamber, indicating reduced permeability and increased SCFA absorption. Gene expression in the tissues harvested from the Ussing chamber after 30 min indicated downregulation of the expression of receptors (i.e., FFAR2 and TLR2), MCT1 and tight-junction and adherens proteins, which may be a negative feedback response to the applied high SCFA concentration compared with the micromolar concentration detected in fetal gastric fluid. Taken together, our data demonstrate that the fetal jejunum senses SCFA, which trigger electrophysiological, muscle contraction and related gene transcription responses. Hence, SCFA may play a role in prenatal gut nutrition and imprinting.

First Comparative Evaluation of Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Vitamin-K-Dependent Proteins Levels in Mother–Newborn Pairs at Birth

“…Because SCFAs can, theoretically, only originate in significant quantities in the mother’s gut microbiota, and because maternal and fetal SCFAs levels presented a strong positive correlation, it can be postulated that the newborn’s SCFAs are transferred from the mother through the placenta. This was also postulated in a previous study carried out in pigs [ 24 ].…”

“…The presence of SCFAs in the fetal circulation has only been identified in pigs [ 24 ] but not in humans. Because newborns at birth are considered sterile, the presence of SCFAs in their circulation could be the result of transfer from the mother.…”

Complete genome analysis of Bacillus subtilis derived from yaks and its probiotic characteristics

“…Notably, some members of fatty acids such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs: acetate, propionate, and butyrate) have attracted increasing attention due to their important roles in host health and metabolism ( 57 ). Early surveys on SCFAs provided evidence that they could regulate intestinal pH, intestinal permeability, gut microbiota and attenuate intestinal inflammation ( 58 ). Additionally, SCFAs have also been shown to play vital roles in cell proliferation, immune system and preventing intestinal leakage ( 59 , 60 ).…”

A Bacillus subtilis Strain ZJ20 with AFB1 Detoxification Ability: A Comprehensive Analysis

“…Fatty acids maintain normal cellular physiological functions, maintain the relative fluidity of cell membranes, and provide energy to cells. And some fatty acids, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), are involved in the immune system, regulating intestinal pH, intestinal permeability, intestinal microbiota, and reducing intestinal inflammation [ 40 ]. Biotin, a member of the B vitamin family, enhances the host’s immune response, resists infection, and maintains normal growth and development [ 41 ].…”