Short-chain fatty acids enhance diffusional Ca transport in the epithelium of the rat cecum and colon

We examined the effect of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on Ca absorption from the large intestine in rats in vitro. An Ussing-type chamber technique was used to determine the net transport of Ca from the luminal side to the basolateral side of isolated epithelium in cecum and colon preparations. The concentration of Ca in the serosal and mucosal Tris buffer solution was 1.25 mM and 10 mM, respectively. Both solutions were warmed at 37 degreesC and bubbled with 95%O-2 and 5%CO2. During and after the incubation period (30 min or 60 min),the Ca concentration in the serosal medium was determined and the net transepithelial Ca transport was evaluated. The addition of 80 mM acetic acid, 40 mM propionic acid and 10 mM butyric acid to the mucosal medium increased net Ca absorption (about 300%) in the cecum and colon. An individual application of acetic, propionic or butyric acid (0.01 to 100 mM) to the mucosal medium also increased net Ca absorption at doses of 10 mM and /or 100 mM in the cecum and colon. An increase in solute concentration in the mucosal medium by addition of glycerol or PGE400, or a decrease in pH (7.0-3.0) by addition of HCl did not affect transepithelial Ca transport. We concluded that SCFAs affect the epithelial tissue and promote Ca absorption from the large intestine in vitro. The enhancement of Ca transport induced by SCFAs might be involved in the paracellular transport mechanism. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.