What substance fuels coloncytes derived from bacterial fermentation?

Butyric acid is the primary substance that fuels colonocytes, the cells lining the colon. It is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced through the fermentation of dietary fibers by gut bacteria. This process occurs in the colon, where fiber is fermented into SCFAs.

Butyric acid serves several important functions in the gut. It is not only a significant energy source for colonocytes, but it also plays a role in maintaining intestinal health by promoting cell differentiation, apoptosis in potentially harmful cells, and maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Additionally, butyric acid has anti-inflammatory properties, which are beneficial for gut health.

While acetic acid, lactic acid, and propionic acid are also products of fermentation, they are not primarily used as fuel by colonocytes to the same extent as butyric acid. Instead, they serve different roles in metabolism and gut health. For example, propionic acid is involved in gluconeogenesis and has a regulatory effect on appetite and lipid metabolism. Acetic acid and lactic acid are involved in various metabolic pathways but do not directly serve as major energy sources for colonocytes. Thus, the correct choice is butyric acid due to its vital role in energy supply to colonic