Metabolism of large bowel mucosa in health and disease

Abstract

Attitudes to colonic mucosal diseases have changed since the knowledge that the microflora act by its metabolites on the metabolic activity of the colonocytes, thereby influencing their functions and growth. The primary actions of the flora are twofold. They produce first metabolites which act as energy-producing substrates for the colonocytes, and second substances which may interfere with the enzymatic activities of the mucosa. Study of the action of microfloral metabolites on colonocyte metabolism and of the consequences following surgery offer an opportunity to obtain further information on the pathogenesis and therapy of large bowel diseases.