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. 2021 Jun 4;2021:9756586. doi: 10.1155/2021/9756586

Figure 2.

Figure 2

Impact of gut-derived SCFAs in T2DM. SCFAs (acetate, butyrate, and propionate) are produced from the fermentation of indigestible foods in the distal intestine by gut microbiota. In the distal gut, acetate, propionate, and butyrate stimulate the secretion of the “satiety” hormones GLP-1 and PYY in enteroendocrine-L cells, which leads to metabolic benefits upon satiety and glucose homeostasis. Furthermore, butyrate and propionate induce IGN and sympathetic activity, thereby beneficially leading to control of body weight and glucose homeostasis. Very little propionate and butyrate and a high concentration of acetate reach the circulation. They can also affect the metabolism and function of peripheral tissues directly (e.g., liver, adipose tissue, and muscle). Furthermore, circulating levels of acetate and propionate might cross the BBB and regulate satiety via CNS-related mechanisms. BBB, blood-brain barrier; CNS, central nervous system; GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide-1; GSIS, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion; IGN, intestinal gluconeogenesis; PYY, peptide YY; SCFAs, short-chain fatty acids; T2DM, type 2 diabetes mellitus.