title: Colonic bacterial metabolites and human health.
abstract: The influence of the microbial-mammalian metabolic axis is becoming increasingly important for human health. Bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates (CHOs) and proteins produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and a range of other metabolites including those from aromatic amino acid (AAA) fermentation. SCFA influence host health as energy sources and via multiple signalling mechanisms. Bacterial transformation of fibre-related phytochemicals is associated with a reduced incidence of several chronic diseases. The 'gut-liver axis' is an emerging area of study. Microbial deconjugation of xenobiotics and release of aromatic moieties into the colon can have a wide range of physiological consequences. In addition, the role of the gut microbiota in choline deficiency in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance is receiving increased attention.
authors.affiliation: Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Greenburn Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB21 9SB, UK.
authors.forename: Wendy R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hoyles
authors.forename: Harry J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Flint
authors.forename: Marc-Emmanuel
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Dumas
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D003106:Colon / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000378:metabolism; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000378:metabolism; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D055442:Metabolome; D064307:Microbiota
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile