Chapter 10 - Roles of dietary fiber and gut microbial metabolites short-chain fatty acids in regulating mitochondrial function in central nervous system

Abstract

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), as the major gut microbial metabolites of the dietary fiber generated in the colon, play essential roles in regulating gut barrier function, liver metabolism, kidney function, and immune balance in the peripheral systems. Moreover, SCFAs also modulate central nervous system (CNS) function, including improving cognitive and social dysfunctions and suppressing appetite. However, the underlying mechanism of how SCFAs benefit both the peripheral system and CNS is unclear. In this chapter, we will review the cognitive, appetitive, and psychological functions of SCFAs in the CNS and delve into the roles of SCFAs in the mechanism of mitochondrial metabolism, serving as an energy metabolite to produce ATP, a G protein-coupled receptor activator, and a histone deacetylase inhibitor.