Abstract
AimTo determine whether acute loss of liver tissue affects hepatic short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) clearance.MethodsBlood was sampled from the radial artery, portal vein, and hepatic vein before and after hepatic resection in 30 patients undergoing partial liver resection. Plasma SCFA levels were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. SCFA exchange across gut and liver was calculated from arteriovenous differences and plasma flow. Liver volume was estimated by CT liver volumetry.ResultsThe gut produced significant amounts of acetate, propionate, and butyrate (39.4±13.5, 6.2±1.3, and 9.5±2.6 μmol·kgbw-1·h-1), which did not change after partial hepatectomy (p = 0.67, p = 0.59 and p = 0.24). Hepatic propionate uptake did not differ significantly before and after resection (-6.4±1.4 vs. -8.4±1.5 μmol·kgbw-1·h-1, p = 0.49). Hepatic acetate and butyrate uptake increased significantly upon partial liver resection (acetate: -35.1±13.0 vs. -39.6±9.4 μmol·kgbw-1·h-1, p = 0.0011; butyrate: -9.9±2.7 vs. -11.5±2.4 μmol·kgbw-1·h-1, p = 0.0006). Arterial SCFA concentrations were not different before and after partial liver resection (acetate: 176.9±17.3 vs. 142.3±12.5 μmol/L, p = 0.18; propionate: 7.2±1.4 vs. 5.6±0.6 μmol/L, p = 0.38; butyrate: 4.3±0.7 vs. 3.6±0.6 μmol/L, p = 0.73).ConclusionThe liver maintains its capacity to clear acetate, propionate, and butyrate from the portal blood upon acute loss of liver tissue.
Highlights
The gut produced significant amounts of acetate, propionate, and butyrate (39.4±13.5, 6.2±1.3, and 9.5±2.6 μmolÁkgbw-1Áh-1), which did not change after partial hepatectomy (p = 0.67, p = 0.59 and p = 0.24)
Hepatic Short-Chain Fatty Acid Handling interfering with, the full and objective presentation, peer review, editorial decision-making, or publication of research or non-research articles submitted to PLOS
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA, i.e. acetate, propionate, and butyrate) have lately attracted considerable attention since they are thought to underlie the effect of gut bacteria on body weight and metabolism.[1]
Summary
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA, i.e. acetate, propionate, and butyrate) have lately attracted considerable attention since they are thought to underlie the effect of gut bacteria on body weight and metabolism.[1]. Propionate, on the other hand, functions primarily as a precursor of gluconeogenesis in liver cells.[6]
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