BishtRef
Articles Journals Publishers Authors Subjects Most Cited New Papers Year Stats Open Access
journal article Nov 02, 2015

Review article: insights into colonic protein fermentation, its modulation and potential health implications

C. K. Yao J. G. Muir P. R. Gibson
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics Vol. 43 No. 2 pp. 181-196 · Wiley
View at Publisher Save 10.1111/apt.13456
Abstract
SummaryBackgroundBeneficial effects of carbohydrate fermentation on gastrointestinal health are well established. Conversely, protein fermentation generates harmful metabolites but their relevance to gastrointestinal health is poorly understood.AimTo review the effects of increased protein fermentation on biomarkers of colonic health, factors influencing fermentative activity and potential for dietary modulation to minimise detrimental effects.MethodsA literature search was performed in PubMed, Medline, EMBASE and Google scholar for clinical and pre‐clinical studies using search terms – ‘dietary protein’, ‘fermentation’, ‘putrefaction’, ‘phenols’, ‘sulphide’, ‘branched‐chain fatty acid’, ‘carbohydrate fermentation’, ‘gastrointestinal’.ResultsHigh protein, reduced carbohydrate diets alter the colonic microbiome, favouring a potentially pathogenic and pro‐inflammatory microbiota profile, decreased short‐chain fatty acid production and increased ammonia, phenols and hydrogen sulphide concentrations. These metabolites largely compromise the colonic epithelium structure, causing mucosal inflammation but may also directly modulate the enteric nervous system and intestinal motility. Increased protein fermentation as a result of a high‐protein intake can be attenuated by addition of oligosaccharides, resistant starch and nonstarch polysaccharides and a reduction in total protein or specifically, aromatic and sulphur‐containing amino acids. These factors may have clinical importance as novel therapeutic approaches to problems, in which protein fermentation may be implicated, such as malodorous flatus, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis and prevention of colorectal cancer.ConclusionsThe direct clinical relevance of excessive protein fermentation in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome, malodorous flatus and ulcerative colitis are underexplored. Manipulating dietary carbohydrate and protein intake have potential therapeutic applications in such settings and warrant further clinical studies.
Topics

No keywords indexed for this article. Browse by subject →

References
143
[1]
The control and consequences of bacterial fermentation in the human colon

J.H. Cummings, G.T. Macfarlane

Journal of Applied Bacteriology 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1991.tb02739.x
[3]
Muir JG "Importance of combining indigestible carbohydrate with protein sources in the diet: implications for reducing colorectal cancer risk" Proc Nutr Soc Aus (2000)
[6]
Gibson S "Significance of microflora in proteolysis in the colon" Appl Environ Microbiol (1989) 10.1128/aem.55.3.679-683.1989
[7]
Macfarlane GT "Protein degradation by human intestinal bacteria" J Gen Microbiol (1986)
[12]
Effects of amino acid-derived luminal metabolites on the colonic epithelium and physiopathological consequences

F. Blachier, F. Mariotti, J. F. Huneau et al.

Amino Acids 10.1007/s00726-006-0477-9
[14]
Short chain fatty acids in human large intestine, portal, hepatic and venous blood.

J H Cummings, E W Pomare, W J Branch et al.

Gut 10.1136/gut.28.10.1221
[15]
Kalantar‐Zadeh K "Intestinal gas capsules: a proof‐of‐concept demonstration" Gastroenterol (2015)
[22]
Ryan D "Metabolomics as a tool for diagnosis and monitoring in coeliac disease" Metabolomics (2014)
[26]
Linking Long-Term Dietary Patterns with Gut Microbial Enterotypes

Gary D. Wu, Jun Chen, Christian Hoffmann et al.

Science 10.1126/science.1208344
[32]
The gut microbiota shapes intestinal immune responses during health and disease

June L. Round, Sarkis K. Mazmanian

Nature Reviews Immunology 10.1038/nri2515

Showing 50 of 143 references

Cited By
397
Gut Metabolome in Companion Animal Nutrition—Linking Diets to Health

Yang Lyu, Junning Pu · 2025

Animals
Interactions between Dietary Antioxidants, Dietary Fiber and the Gut Microbiome: Their Putative Role in Inflammation and Cancer

Camelia Munteanu, Betty Schwartz · 2024

International Journal of Molecular...
Metrics
397
Citations
143
References
Details
Published
Nov 02, 2015
Vol/Issue
43(2)
Pages
181-196
License
View
Authors
C
C. K. Yao

Department of Gastroenterology Monash University Alfred Health Melbourne Vic. Australia

J
J. G. Muir

Department of Gastroenterology Monash University Alfred Health Melbourne Vic. Australia

P
P. R. Gibson

Department of Gastroenterology Monash University Alfred Health Melbourne Vic. Australia

Funding
AbbVie
Ferring
Danone
Pfizer
Cite This Article
C. K. Yao, J. G. Muir, P. R. Gibson (2015). Review article: insights into colonic protein fermentation, its modulation and potential health implications. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 43(2), 181-196. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13456
Related

You May Also Like

Systematic review: the epidemiology and natural history of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis in adults

G. Vernon, A. Baranova · 2011

2,464 citations

Review article: the role of butyrate on colonic function

H. M. HAMER, D. JONKERS · 2007

2,316 citations

The irritable bowel severity scoring system: a simple method of monitoring irritable bowel syndrome and its progress

C. Y. FRANCIS, J. Morris · 1997

1,407 citations

Review article: gastrointestinal features in COVID‐19 and the possibility of faecal transmission

Yuan Tian, Long Rong · 2020

652 citations

Review article: loss of response to anti-TNF treatments in Crohn’s disease

S. Ben-Horin, Y. Chowers · 2011

545 citations