Abstract

Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) have multiple in vivo and in vitro effects including cell cycle arrest and induction of protein synthesis, differentiation, and apoptosis. Butyrate or derivatives have promise for treating inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer. Genomic and proteomic analysis have generated new knowledge on function and applications for SCFA.

Keywords: short chain fatty acids, butyrate, inflammation, cancer, colon and fiber