Short Chain Fatty Acids Differentially Modulate Cellular Phenotype and c-myc Protein Levels in Primary Human Nonmalignant and Malignant Colonocytes

Short chain fatty acids may protect colonic mucosa against neoplastic transformation by modulating colonocyte phenotype, DNA synthesis, and c-myc levels. To test this hypothesis, nonmalignant and malignant human colonocytes were isolated from surgical specimens and treated with 10 mM acetate, propionate, or butyrate. Markers of cellular phenotype, DNA synthesis, and c-myc protein levels were assayed by alkaline phosphatase and dipeptidyl dipeptidase IV activities, [³H]thymidine labeling, and western blotting, respectively. Butyrate, in particular, exerted discordant effects on alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05), and c-myc levels (P < 0.05, N 6) in nonmalignant and malignant human colonocytes. DPDD was unaffected by any of the short chain fatty acids tested. [³H]Thymidine labeling was differentially stimulated by short chain fatty acids in both cell types and greater DNA synthesis rates were observed in malignant colonocytes (P < 0.005, N = 16). These data suggest that in vitro, butyrate, in particular, may differentially modulate phenotype, DNA synthesis, and c-myc in nonmalignant and malignant human colonocytes.     

Effect of butyrate on paracellular permeability in rat distal colonic mucosa ex vivo

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The effects of butyrate on colonic epithelial barrier function are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine the short-term effects of butyrate on paracellular permeability of rat distal colonic epithelium. METHODS: Mucosa mounted in Ussing chambers was treated with butyrate (1-10 mmol/L) for 4 h. Transepithelial conductance, [51Cr]-EDTA flux, mucosal brush border hydrolase activity and epithelial kinetics, using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining, were measured. RESULTS: On exposure to butyrate (10 mmol/L, but not 1 or 5 mmol/L), transepithelial conductance was 65 +/- 2% higher (mean +/- SEM; n = 8, P < 0.05, paired t-test) and the rate coefficient for [51Cr]-EDTA flux was 65 +/- 25% higher (P = 0.03) than those of control tissue. Histologically, the epithelium exhibited no signs of injury, but butyrate-treated tissue exhibited interstitial oedema consistent with water uptake in association with butyrate absorption. Butyrate caused a reduction in crypt column height to 30.6 +/- 1.6 cells from 33.4 +/- 1.8 cells in controls (n = 10, P < 0.03), but the number of cells per crypt column staining with PCNA was unchanged. Butyrate significantly reduced the mucosal activities of alkaline phosphatase by 40 +/- 16%, maltase by 54 +/- 12% and dipeptidyl peptidase IV by 41 +/- 14%. CONCLUSIONS: Acute exposure to butyrate increased paracellular permeability in rat distal colon. The mechanism involved may relate to the loss of differentiated surface epithelial cells, or as a physiological response to Na+-coupled butyrate uptake.     

Neoplasia and hyperplasia of large bowel: focal lesions in an abnormal epithelium.

Expression of brush border hydrolases can reflect the state of differentiation of an epithelium. To determine if expression of these enzymes is disordered in patients with neoplastic or hyperplastic lesions, the activities of alkaline phosphatase, maltase, and dipeptidyl peptidase IV were measured spectrophotometrically in colonoscopic biopsies from the proximal and distal colon and rectum in 50 controls, 17 patients with large bowel adenomas, 29 with carcinoma, and 9 with hyperplastic polyps. In normal controls, a descending cecorectal gradient of alkaline phosphatase activities and an ascending gradient of maltase activities were seen (P < 0.001). Though regional patterns of expression were generally preserved in disease groups, there were significant differences of activities across patient groups for alkaline phosphatase (greater in cancer, adenoma, and hyperplastic groups than in normals; P < 0.05) and for dipeptidyl peptidase IV (greater in hyperplastic polyp group than normals, greater in adenoma than cancer group; P < 0.05). Compared with normal controls, abnormalities of site-specific activities were confined to the rectum in patients with adenoma (maltase decreased, P = 0.02; dipeptidyl peptidase IV increased, P < 0.01) or with carcinoma (alkaline phosphatase increased, P = 0.03) but dipeptidyl peptidase IV activities were increased in all regions in bowels bearing hyperplastic polyps (P < 0.01). These data suggest that neoplastic and hyperplastic lesions, while focal in nature, occur in large bowel epithelium, which is diffusely abnormal in terms of its expression of these enzymes.     

Colonic fermentation of dietary fibre to short chain fatty acids in patients with adenomatous polyps and colonic cancer.

Short chain (C2-C6) fatty acids are produced in the colon through bacterial fermentation of mainly dietary fibre. Butyrate (C4) possesses antineoplastic effects on human colon carcinoma cells, and epidemiological studies indicate that high fibre diets may reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer. The role of dietary fibre during colorectal carcinogenesis might therefore be related to its fermentation to butyrate. Faecal concentrations of total short chain fatty acids and concentrations and ratios of the individual C2-C6 fatty acids did not differ between 16 healthy controls, 17 patients with colonic adenomas, and 17 patients with colonic cancer. Comparison of the molar production velocities (mmol/l.hour) of total and individual short chain fatty acids from glucose, ispagula, wheat bran, and albumin in six and 24 hour faecal incubations showed no differences. The ratio of butyrate production to total short chain fatty acid production from fibre, however, was reduced in patients with colonic cancer and adenomas compared with healthy controls (ispagula, six hours: 6.4, 7.6, and 11.5% respectively, p = 0.005 and 24 hour: 9.1, 9.9, and 15.4%, p = 0.002; wheat bran, six hours: 9.9, 10.2, and 14.7% respectively, p = 0.06 and 24 hours: 15.1, 16.8, and 21.0%, p = 0.01). It may be that the low ratios of colonic butyrate formation combined with low fibre diets increase the risk of colonic neoplasia.     

Short chain fatty acid absorption by the human large intestine.

Short chain fatty acid absorption from the human rectum has been studied in 46 subjects attending an obesity clinic, using a dialysis bag technique. From a mixed electrolyte solution, acetate concentrations fell from 97.0 to 64.2 mmol/l, and sodium from 97.8 to 85.1 mmol/l with respective net absorption rates of 8.1 and 5.2 mumol/cm2/h. From a solution with mixed short chain fatty acids acetate concentration fell from 62.3 to 37.6 mmol/l, propionate from 20.2 to 11.5 mmol/l, and butyrate from 25.7 to 17.3 mmol/l with absorption rates of 5.2, 1.8, and 1.9 mumol/cm2/h. Lowering pH from 7.2 to 5.5, to test the possibility that absorption occurred by passive non-ionic diffusion, had no effect on absorption rates, although pH rose rapidly in the dialysis fluid. These results are comparable with rates of acetate absorption from the animal large intestine. The hypothesis that short chain fatty acids are not absorbed from the large gut and therefore contribute to faecal bulk by retaining water in the bowel lumen may need revision.     

Modulation of enzymatic activities during spontaneous and induced differentiation in a human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line CAPAN-1

Different enzymatic activities were studied in the human pancreatic cancer cell line CAPAN-1 in order to analyze their relation to differentiation. Alkaline phosphatase (Alk Ph), acid phosphatase, aminopeptidase, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, acid and neutral alpha-glucosidases, and acid beta-galactosidase were present. Especially alkaline phosphatase, which we have found to be of the placental type isoenzyme, is being highly expressed. Spontaneous cell differentiation at confluence as well as differentiating agents: sodium butyrate and DMSO, modulated the levels of three enzymes: Alk. Ph., aminopeptidase, and acid alpha-glucosidase. The exposure of the cells to the differentiating agents amplified the modulations occurring during the spontaneous differentiation. Aminopeptidase and acid alpha-glucosidase were found to be induced by differentiation. Alk Ph specific activity was significantly increased by the spontaneous and the butyrate-induced differentiations; whereas DMSO exerted an opposite effect, probably related to its biphasic action on cell proliferation.     

The influence of age on intestinal dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV/CD26), disaccharidases, and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity in C57BL/6 mice

The objective of this study was to determine and describe the age-related changes in intestinal brush border membrane enzyme activities that occur in C57Bl/6 mice. Specifically, jejunal, duodenal, and ileal dipeptidyl peptidase IV/CD26, disaccharidase (lactase, sucrase, and maltase), and alkaline phosphatase activities were determined. A significant correlation between analyzed intestinal brush border membrane enzyme activities and animal age was found. Our study revealed that intestinal dipeptidyl peptidase IV/CD26, lactase, sucrase, maltase, and alkaline phosphatase activities decline significantly with age (p < .05). Nevertheless, the horizontal (duodenum to ileum) enzyme activity patterns are not affected by age.     

Dietary modulation of colonic mucosal urokinase activity in rats

Abstract The amount and type of dietary fibre ingested influences colonic luminal characteristics, especially the concentration of carbohydrate fermentation products such as butyrate. This study aimed to assess whether diets supplemented with fibres of differing fermentability (delivering different amounts of butyrate to the colon) influence mucosal activities of urokinase and brush border hydrolases, and epithelial turnover. Groups of five rats were fed one of four diets containing low (2%), highly fermented (guar 10% or oat bran 10%) or slowly fermented fibre (wheat bran 10%) for 4 weeks. Activities of urokinase, alkaline phosphatase, dipeptidyl peptidase IV and maltase were measured in mucosal homogenates of proximal and distal colon and from rectum. Proliferative kinetics were assessed in distal and proximal colon by the metaphase arrest technique. Hydrolase activities were similar across all four dietary groups but a significant difference was found for urokinase ( P = 0.014). This was due to a reduction in urokinase activities of > 30% at the three sites in the wheat bran group compared with the other groups. Of proliferative indices, only crypt column height differed across the groups ( P = 0.038) and was highest in rats fed wheat bran and lowest in those fed the low fibre diet ( P = 0.047). The proportion of mitoses in the top one-fifth of the crypt also differed across groups ( P = 0.038) due to the high values in the distal colon of the low fibre group. Thus, addition of a slowly fermented (but not highly fermented) fibre to the diet of rats reduces net urokinase activity in large bowel mucosa and increases the life span of colonic epithelial cells without changing activities of brush border hydrolases.     

The Influence of Age on Intestinal Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (DPP IV/CD26), Disaccharidases,and Alkaline Phosphatase Enzyme Activity in C57BL/6 Mice

The objective of this study was to determine and describe the age-related changes in intestinal brush border membrane enzyme activities that occur in C57Bl/6 mice. Specifically, jejunal, duodenal, and ileal dipeptidyl peptidase IV/CD26, disaccharidase (lactase, sucrase, and maltase), and alkaline phosphatase activities were determined. A significant correlation between analyzed intestinal brush border membrane enzyme activities and animal age was found. Our study revealed that intestinal dipeptidyl peptidase IV/CD26, lactase, sucrase, maltase, and alkaline phosphatase activities decline significantly with age (p < .05). Nevertheless, the horizontal (duodenum to ileum) enzyme activity patterns are not affected by age.     

Oxidation of short and medium chain C2-C8 fatty acids in Sprague-Dawley rat colonocytes.

BACKGROUND: The predominant colonic short chain fatty acids, acetate, propionate, and butyrate, are oxidised into CO2 in colonocytes from rat and humans in the preferred order of butyrate (C4) > propionate (C3) > acetate (C2)- hence butyrate is considered to be the principal oxidative substrate for colonocytes. AIMS: To compare colonocyte oxidation of valerate (C5), hexanoate (C6), and octanoate (C8) with that of butyrate. METHODS: Isolated rat colonocytes were incubated in the presence of a concentration range of 1-14C labelled C2-C8 fatty acids. Oxidation rates were obtained by quantifying the production of 14CO2, and Vmax (maximum velocity) and K(m) (Michaelis-Menten constant) were calculated by computer fitting of the data to a Michaelis-Menten plot. RESULTS: The K(m) value of acetate (0.56 (SEM 0.02) mmol/l) was about fourfold higher than the K(m) of butyrate (0.13 (0.01) mmol/l), whereas the K(m) values of valerate (0.19 (0.01) mmol/l), hexanoate (0.19 (0.01) mmol/l), and octanoate (0.16 (0.01) mmol/l) were of the same order of magnitude as the K(m) of butyrate. Acetate did not influence butyrate oxidation, whereas butyrate strongly inhibited the oxidation of acetate. By contrast, valerate, hexanoate, and octanoate inhibited colonocyte oxidation of butyrate equally or more than the reverse inhibitory effect of butyrate on valerate, hexanoate, and octanoate oxidation. The maximum rates of ATP production were in the order of valerate > octanoate = hexanoate > butyrate > acetate (28.47 (0.70), 21.78 (0.75), 21.33 (0.78), 16.12 (0.49), 9.09 (0.34) (mumol/min/g) respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Valerate, hexanoate, and octanoate seem to be excellent substrates for colonocyte oxidation, similar to butyrate. These results may influence the choice of fatty acid composition in enemas used for treatment of patients in whom deficient colonocyte oxidation is suspected-for example, patients with ulcerative colitis and diversion colitis.     

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV in angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor associated angioedema

Angioedema is a potentially life-threatening adverse effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Bradykinin and substance P, substrates of angiotensin-converting enzyme, increase vascular permeability and cause tissue edema in animals. Studies indicate that amino-terminal degradation of these peptides, by aminopeptidase P and dipeptidyl peptidase IV, may be impaired in individuals with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-associated angioedema. This case-control study tested the hypothesis that dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity and antigen are decreased in sera of patients with a history of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-associated angioedema. Fifty subjects with a history of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-associated angioedema and 176 angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-exposed control subjects were ascertained. Sera were assayed for angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, aminopeptidase P activity, aminopeptidase N activity, dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity, and antigen and the ex vivo degradation half-lives of bradykinin, des-Arg(9)-bradykinin, and substance P in a subset. The prevalence of smoking was increased and of diabetes decreased in case versus control subjects. Overall, dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity (26.6+/-7.8 versus 29.6+/-7.3 nmol/mL per minute; P=0.026) and antigen (465.8+/-260.8 versus 563.1+/-208.6 ng/mL; P=0.017) were decreased in sera from individuals with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-associated angioedema compared with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-exposed control subjects without angioedema. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity (21.5+/-4.9 versus 29.8+/-6.7 nmol/mL per minute; P=0.001) and antigen (354.4+/-124.7 versus 559.8+/-163.2 ng/mL; P=0.003) were decreased in sera from cases collected during angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition but not in the absence of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition. The degradation half-life of substance P correlated inversely with dipeptidyl peptidase IV antigen during angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition. Environmental or genetic factors that reduce dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity may predispose individuals to angioedema.     

Modulation of enzymatic activities during spontaneous and induced differentiation in a human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line CAPAN-1

Different enzymatic activities were studied in the human pancreatic cancer cell line CAPAN-1 in order to analyze their relation to differentiation. Alkaline phosphatase (Alk Ph), acid phosphatase, aminopeptidase, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, acid and neutral α-glucosidases, and acid β-galactosidase were present. Especially alkaline phosphatase, which we have found to be of the placental type isoenzyme, is being highly expressed. Spontaneous cell differentiation at confluence as well as differentiating agents: sodium butyrate and DMSO, modulated the levels of three enzymes: Alk. Ph., aminopeptidase, and acid α-glucosidase. The exposure of the cells to the differentiating agents amplified the modulations occurring during the spontaneous differentiation. Aminopeptidase and acid α-glucosidase were found to be induced by differentiation. Alk Ph specific activity was significantly increased by the spontaneous and the butyrate-induced differentiations; whereas DMSO exerted an opposite effect, probably related to its biphasic action on cell proliferation.     

Identification of the bile canalicular cell surface molecule GP110 as the ectopeptidase dipeptidyl peptidase IV: an analysis by tissue distribution, purification and N-terminal amino acid sequence

This paper describes the tissue distribution, purification and N-terminal amino acid sequence of the bile canalicular cell surface molecule dipeptidyl peptidase IV. Immunoperoxidase staining of cryostat sections of rat liver with a monoclonal antibody, Medical Research Council OX-61, indicated specific binding to hepatocyte bile canalicular domains and brush borders of bile ducts. Additional staining was seen in other epithelial brush borders (small intestine, kidney, colon, pancreatic duct); acinar structures in salivary glands; endothelial structures and T cell areas in thymus, spleen and lymph node. The tissue distribution suggested that monoclonal antibody OX-61 binds to the ectoenzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV. This was confirmed by depletion of dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity from tissue homogenates by monoclonal antibody OX-61 coupled to Sepharose. The molecule recognized by OX-61 was then purified from liver and kidney by monoclonal antibody affinity chromatography. The molecule had a molecular weight of 110 kD under reducing conditions. The purified molecule was subsequently analyzed for amino acid composition and N-terminal amino acid sequence. Thirty-one N-terminal amino acids were sequenced and indicated identity with part of the predicted N-terminus of the previously cloned bile canalicular molecule GP110. On review, other similarities between dipeptidyl peptidase IV and GP110 were detected: molecular weight, deglycosylated form and metabolic half-life. Finally, the recent cloning of dipeptidyl peptidase IV permitted a comparison between the molecule recognized by monoclonal antibody OX-61, GP110 and dipeptidyl peptidase IV. It is concluded that these three molecules are almost certainly identical.     

Rectal absorption of short chain fatty acids in the absence of chloride.

The absorption of short chain fatty acids by the human rectum in the absence of chloride has been studied using a dialysis bag technique. Absorption rates of sodium, water, and short chain fatty acids were unchanged on replacing chloride with sulphate. Final concentrations of bicarbonate were 35.4 +/- 3.4 mmol/l in the presence of chloride and 37.1 +/- 5.2 mmol/l in the absence of chloride. The rates of movement of bicarbonate into the dialysates were similar. If bicarbonate is secreted in exchange for chloride then it also appears to be secreted in exchange for absorbed short chain fatty acids.     

Portal and peripheral blood short chain fatty acid concentrations after caecal lactulose instillation at surgery.

The major end products of fermentation, short chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate, butyrate) were measured in portal and peripheral venous blood after the caecal instillation of lactulose at surgery in patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy. Blood samples for short chain fatty acid measurement were taken before and at 15 minute intervals up to 60 minutes after caecal instillation of either 20 ml sterile saline or 6.7 g or 10 g lactulose. Fasting concentrations (n = 28) were (mumol/l, mean (SD)); portal acetate 128.0 (70.8), propionate 34.4 (23.3), butyrate 17.6 (18.4); peripheral acetate 67.0 (23.0), propionate 3.7 (1.2), butyrate traces only. After lactulose there was a rapid rise in portal short chain fatty acids with peak concentrations being reached in 15 to 45 minutes. Mean peak concentrations (mumol/l (SD)) after 10 g lactulose were acetate 240.9 (142.2), propionate 39.0 (17.8) and butyrate 26.9 (17.6). The changes in acetate concentrations seen in portal blood were reflected in peripheral blood acetate measurements. In contrast with portal blood, only small amounts of propionate and traces of butyrate were found in peripheral blood.     

Contrasting effects of butyrate on the expression of phenotypic markers of differentiation in neoplastic and non-neoplastic colonic epithelial cells in vitro

The in vitro effect of butyrate on expression of differentiation markers in colonic epithelial cells was assessed in the colon cancer cell line, LIM1215 and in epithelial cells isolated from a surgically resected histologically normal colon. Markers used to assess cell differentiation were: net glycoprotein synthesis ([3H]-glucosamine uptake) expressed relative to net protein synthesis ([14C]-leucine uptake), and the expression of the brush border glycoproteins (alkaline phosphatase and carcino-embryonic antigen) in cell homogenates calculated relative to cellular protein content. In response to 24 h exposure to 1 mmol/L butyrate, all markers significantly increased in LIM1215 cells whereas they all significantly decreased in isolated colonic epithelial cells under identical culture conditions. Similar effects were seen at butyrate concentrations of up to 4 mmol/L. Butyrate suppressed proliferation of LIM1215 cells but had no consistent effect on [3H]-thymidine uptake by, or DNA content of, normal epithelial cells. Additional experiments found no evidence of a toxic effect of butyrate at those concentrations nor of an alteration of cell responsiveness to butyrate due to the isolation process itself. In contrast to its differentiative effect on neoplastic cells, butyrate reduces the expression of phenotypic markers of differentiation in vitro in colonic epithelial cells from non-neoplastic mucosa.     

Mucin secretion is modulated by luminal factors in the isolated vascularly perfused rat colon

BACKGROUND: Mucins play an important protective role in the colonic mucosa. Luminal factors modulating colonic mucus release have been not fully identified. AIM: To determine the effect of some dietary compounds on mucus discharge in rat colon. METHODS: An isolated vascularly perfused rat colon model was used. Mucus secretion was induced by a variety of luminal factors administered as a bolus of 1 ml for 30 minutes in the colonic loop. Mucin release was evaluated using a sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay supported by histological analysis. RESULTS: The three dietary fibres tested in this study (pectin, gum arabic, and cellulose) did not provoke mucus secretion. Luminal administration of sodium alginate (an algal polysaccharide used as a food additive) or ulvan (a sulphated algal polymer) induced a dose dependent increase in mucin discharge over the concentration range 1-25 mg/l (p<0.05 for 25 mg/l alginate and p<0.05 for 10 and 25 mg/l ulvan). Glucuronic acid and galacturonic acid, which are major constituents of a variety of fibres, produced significant mucin secretion (p<0.05). Hydrogen sulphide and mercaptoacetate, two sulphides produced in the colonic lumen by microbial fermentation of sulphated polysaccharides, did not modify mucin secretion. Among the short chain fatty acids, acetate (5-100 mM) induced a dose dependent release of mucus (p<0.05 for 100 mM acetate). Interestingly, butyrate at a concentration of 5 mM produced colonic mucin secretion (p<0.05), but increasing its concentration to 100 mM provoked a gradual decrease in mucus discharge. Propionate (5-100 mM) did not induce mucin release. Several dietary phenolic compounds (quercetin, epicatechin, resveratrol) did not provoke mucus discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Two algal polysaccharides (alginate and ulvan), two uronic acids (glucuronic acid and galacturonic acid), and the short chain fatty acids acetate and butyrate induce mucin secretion in rat colon. Taken together, these data suggest that some food constituents and their fermentation products may regulate the secretory function of colonic goblet cells.     

Short chain fatty acids in human large intestine, portal, hepatic and venous blood.

Evidence for the occurrence of microbial breakdown of carbohydrate in the human colon has been sought by measuring short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations in the contents of all regions of the large intestine and in portal, hepatic and peripheral venous blood obtained at autopsy of sudden death victims within four hours of death. Total SCFA concentration (mmol/kg) was low in the terminal ileum at 13 +/- 6 but high in all regions of the colon ranging from 131 +/- 9 in the caecum to 80 +/- 11 in the descending colon. The presence of branched chain fatty acids was also noted. A significant trend from high to low concentrations was found on passing distally from caecum to descending colon. pH also changed with region from 5.6 +/- 0.2 in the caecum to 6.6 +/- 0.1 in the descending colon. pH and SCFA concentrations were inversely related. Total SCFA (mumol/l) in blood was, portal 375 +/- 70, hepatic 148 +/- 42 and peripheral 79 +/- 22. In all samples acetate was the principal anion but molar ratios of the three principal SCFA changed on going from colonic contents to portal blood to hepatic vein indicating greater uptake of butyrate by the colonic epithelium and propionate by the liver. These data indicate that substantial carbohydrate, and possibly protein, fermentation is occurring in the human large intestine, principally in the caecum and ascending colon and that the large bowel may have a greater role to play in digestion than has previously been ascribed to it.