Feeling the Burn: Intestinal Epithelial Cells Modify Their Lipid Metabolism in Response to Bacterial Fermentation Products

Intestinal epithelial absorption of dietary lipids is amajor determinant of animal energy balance and metabolic health. Recent studies uncovered significant roles for intestinal microbiota in this process, but underlying mechanisms remain unresolved. Araujo et al. (2020) identify two end-products of bacterial fermentation that regulate intestinal lipid absorption and metabolism.