Cecal infusion of butyrate does not alter cecal concentration of butyrate in piglets fed inulin.
BACKGROUND
Cecal or distal colonic concentration of butyrate has been used as an index of butyrate production from various fermentable carbohydrates. However, we previously found that cecal concentration of butyrate does not correlate with the rate of synthesis of butyrate in the cecal lumen. As part of a larger study of the cellular effects of cecal infusions of butyrate, we sought to rule out the null hypothesis that cecal infusion of butyrate also would not alter butyrate concentration in the cecum.


METHODS
Piglets (n = 10) were fed sow milk replacement formula plus inulin (3 g x L(-1)). After 6 days of oral feeding, the piglets were randomly assigned into 2 equal groups: (I) Cecal infusion of phosphate-buffered NaCl and (II) cecal infusion of butyrate (2.13 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1)). The concentration of butyrate was measured by gas chromatography in the cecum and distal colon.


RESULTS
There was no effect of cecal butyrate infusion on butyrate concentration (mM; I vs II) in the cecum (5.7 +/- 0.4 vs 5.3 +/- 1.1) or distal colon (3.3 +/- 0.6 vs 4.1 +/- 0.8) or on the ratio of cecal butyrate concentration to the sum of the concentrations of butyrate, acetate, propionate, and valerate (0.101 +/- 0.004 vs 0.083 +/- 0.011). There was no effect of cecal butyrate infusion on the concentration of any of these short chain fatty acids.


CONCLUSIONS
At an entry rate into the cecum within the physiological range, butyrate had no effect on cecal or distal colonic luminal concentration of butyrate.
Kien
C Lawrence
CL
Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, College of Medicine, and the Office of Animal Care Management, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405-0068, USA. cl.kien@uvm.edu
Blauwiekel
Ruth
R
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002087:Butyrates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002432:Cecum / Q000378:metabolism*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D005285:Fermentation; D007444:Inulin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D013552:Swine
D002087:Butyrates; D007444:Inulin