title: Impact of short- and medium-chain fatty acids on mitochondrial function in severe inflammation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sepsis is a severe inflammatory disorder with a high mortality in intensive care units mostly due to multiorgan failure. Mitochondrial dysfunction is regarded as a key factor involved in the pathogenesis of septic disorders, leading to a decline in energy supply. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether application of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) could improve mitochondrial function and thus might serve as a potential energy source under inflammatory conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  As an experimental approach, starved human endothelial cells and monocytes were incubated with hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, or glucose and subsequently subjected to high-resolution respirometry to assess mitochondrial function under baseline conditions. In a second set of experiments, cells were pretreated with tumor necrosis factor-α to mimic inflammation and sepsis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We demonstrated that addition of SCFAs and MCFAs increases mitochondrial respiratory capacity at baseline and inflammatory conditions in both cell types. None of the fatty acids induced changes in mitochondrial DNA content or the generation of proinflammatory cytokines, indicating a beneficial safety profile.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We deduce that SCFAs and MCFAs are suitable and safe sources of energy under inflammatory conditions with the capability to partly restore mitochondrial respiration.
authors.affiliation: University of Giessen Lung Center (UGLC), Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hecker
authors.affiliation: University of Giessen Lung Center (UGLC), Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Natascha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sommer
authors.affiliation: University of Giessen Lung Center (UGLC), Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Voigtmann
authors.affiliation: University of Giessen Lung Center (UGLC), Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Oleg
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pak
authors.affiliation: University of Giessen Lung Center (UGLC), Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohr
authors.affiliation: B. Braun Melsungen AG, Melsungen, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.affiliation: University of Giessen Lung Center (UGLC), Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: István
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vadász
authors.affiliation: University of Giessen Lung Center (UGLC), Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Herold
authors.affiliation: University of Giessen Lung Center (UGLC), Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Weissmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Lung Development and Remodelling, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Rory E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Morty
authors.affiliation: University of Giessen Lung Center (UGLC), Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Seeger
authors.affiliation: University of Giessen Lung Center (UGLC), Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany Konstantin.Mayer@innere.med.uni-giessen.de.
authors.forename: Konstantin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mayer
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000178:diet therapy*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile
keywords: fatty acids; inflammation; mitochondria; respiration; sepsis