American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 61, 1241-1247, Copyright © 1995 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc

ORIGINAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

Propionate inhibits incorporation of colonic [1,2-13C]acetate into plasma lipids in humans

TM Wolever, PJ Spadafora, SC Cunnane and PB Pencharz
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Acetate and propionate, produced during colonic fermentation of unabsorbed carbohydrate, may influence systemic lipid metabolism. As a preliminary study to see whether colonic acetate is incorporated into plasma lipids and whether propionate inhibits this process, 5 healthy males were studied after fasting overnight. They were given, in random order, 12.5 mmol (1.05 g) [1,2-13C]sodium acetate by intravenous or rectal infusion, and the rectal infusion was given with or without 6 mmol (0.58 g) sodium propionate. Two hours after rectal acetate, 13C recoveries in plasma cholesterol (0.59 +/- 0.22%) and triglycerides (1.24 +/- 0.69%) were significantly greater than after intravenous acetate (0.09 +/- 0.12% and 0.29 +/- 0.18%, respectively). Addition of propionate reduced 13C recovery in triglycerides (0.19 +/- 0.06%, P = 0.024) compared with rectal acetate alone, but the effect on cholesterol (0.26 +/- 0.05%) was not significant. These data suggest that incorporation of colonic acetate into plasma triglycerides is inhibited by propionate. Further studies are required to quantify the effects of colonic acetate and propionate on lipid synthesis.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				F. Brighenti Dietary Fructans and Serum Triacylglycerols: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials J. Nutr., November 1, 2007; 137(11): 2552S - 2556S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Vogt, K. B. Ishii-Schrade, P. B. Pencharz, P. J. H. Jones, and T. M. S. Wolever L-Rhamnose and Lactulose Decrease Serum Triacylglycerols and Their Rates of Synthesis, but Do Not Affect Serum Cholesterol Concentrations in Men J. Nutr., August 1, 2006; 136(8): 2160 - 2166. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. M. Wolever, K. B Schrade, J. A Vogt, E. B Tsihlias, and M. I McBurney Do colonic short-chain fatty acids contribute to the long-term adaptation of blood lipids in subjects with type 2 diabetes consuming a high-fiber diet? Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, June 1, 2002; 75(6): 1023 - 1030. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Daubioul, N. Rousseau, R. Demeure, B. Gallez, H. Taper, B. Declerck, and N. Delzenne Dietary Fructans, but Not Cellulose, Decrease Triglyceride Accumulation in the Liver of Obese Zucker fa/fa Rats J. Nutr., May 1, 2002; 132(5): 967 - 973. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Fernandes, A. V. Rao, and T. M. S. Wolever Different Substrates and Methane Producing Status Affect Short-Chain Fatty Acid Profiles Produced by In Vitro Fermentation of Human Feces J. Nutr., August 1, 2000; 130(8): 1932 - 1936. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				L. C. Hudgins, M. K. Hellerstein, C. E. Seidman, R. A. Neese, J. D. Tremaroli, and J. Hirsch Relationship between carbohydrate-induced hypertriglyceridemia and fatty acid synthesis in lean and obese subjects J. Lipid Res., April 1, 2000; 41(4): 595 - 604. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				M.-P. St-Onge, E. R Farnworth, and P. J. Jones Consumption of fermented and nonfermented dairy products: effects on cholesterol concentrations and metabolism Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, March 1, 2000; 71(3): 674 - 681. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M.-A. Levrat-Verny, S. Behr, V. Mustad, C. Rémésy, and C. Demigné Low Levels of Viscous Hydrocolloids Lower Plasma Cholesterol in Rats Primarily by Impairing Cholesterol Absorption J. Nutr., January 1, 2000; 130(2): 243 - 248. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				M. S Alles, N. M de Roos, J C. Bakx, E. van de Lisdonk, P. L Zock, and J. G. Hautvast Consumption of fructooligosaccharides does not favorably affect blood glucose and serum lipid concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, January 1, 1999; 69(1): 64 - 69. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Fernandes, T. M. S. Wolever, and A. V. Rao Increased Serum Cholesterol in Healthy Human Methane Producers Is Confounded by Age J. Nutr., August 1, 1998; 128(8): 1349 - 1354. [Abstract] [Full Text]