What would be a natural food source of SCFA --short chain fatty acids?
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Gut 1996 Apr;38(4):568-73

Butyrate enema therapy stimulates mucosal repair in
experimental colitis in the rat.

Butzner JD, Parmar R, Bell CJ, Dalal V

Gastrointestinal Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary,
Alberta, Canada.

BACKGROUND--The short chain fatty acid (SCFA) butyrate provides energy for
colonocytes,
stimulates colonic fluid and electrolyte absorption and is recognised as an
effective treatment for
multiple types of colitis. AIM--To examine the impact of butyrate enema therapy
on the clinical
course, severity of inflammation, and SCFA stimulated Na+ absorption in a
chronic
experimental
colitis. METHODS--Distal colitis was induced in rats with a
trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS)
enema. Five days after induction, rats were divided into groups to receive: no
treatment, saline
enemas, or 100 mM Na-butyrate enemas daily. On day 24, colonic damage score and
tissue
myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were evaluated. Colon was mounted in Ussing
chambers and Na+
transport and electrical activities were measured during a basal period and
after
stimulation with 25
mM butyrate. RESULTS--In the untreated and the saline enema treated TNBS groups,
diarrhoea
and extensive colonic damage were seen, associated with increased tissue MPO
activities and absent
butyrate stimulated Na+ absorption. In contrast, in the butyrate enema treated
TNBS group,
diarrhoea ceased, colonic damage score improved, and tissue MPO activity as well
as butyrate
stimulated Na+ absorption recovered to control values. CONCLUSION--Butyrate
enema
therapy
stimulated colonic repair, as evidenced by clinical recovery, decreased
inflammation, and restoration
of SCFA stimulated electrolyte absorption.