{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,11,5]],"date-time":"2026-11-05T04:57:01Z","timestamp":1793854621263,"version":"4.6.1"},"reference-count":43,"publisher":"BMJ","issue":"10","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Gut"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[1987,10]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Evidence for the occurrence of microbial breakdown of carbohydrate in the human colon has been sought by measuring short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations in the contents of all regions of the large intestine and in portal, hepatic and peripheral venous blood obtained at autopsy of sudden death victims within four hours of death. Total SCFA concentration (mmol\/kg) was low in the terminal ileum at 13 +\/- 6 but high in all regions of the colon ranging from 131 +\/- 9 in the caecum to 80 +\/- 11 in the descending colon. The presence of branched chain fatty acids was also noted. A significant trend from high to low concentrations was found on passing distally from caecum to descending colon. pH also changed with region from 5.6 +\/- 0.2 in the caecum to 6.6 +\/- 0.1 in the descending colon. pH and SCFA concentrations were inversely related. Total SCFA (mumol\/l) in blood was, portal 375 +\/- 70, hepatic 148 +\/- 42 and peripheral 79 +\/- 22. In all samples acetate was the principal anion but molar ratios of the three principal SCFA changed on going from colonic contents to portal blood to hepatic vein indicating greater uptake of butyrate by the colonic epithelium and propionate by the liver. These data indicate that substantial carbohydrate, and possibly protein, fermentation is occurring in the human large intestine, principally in the caecum and ascending colon and that the large bowel may have a greater role to play in digestion than has previously been ascribed to it.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1136\/gut.28.10.1221","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2007,9,18]],"date-time":"2007-09-18T17:41:31Z","timestamp":1190137291000},"page":"1221-1227","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2799,"title":["Short chain fatty acids in human large intestine, portal, hepatic and venous blood."],"prefix":"10.1136","volume":"28","author":[{"given":"J H","family":"Cummings","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"E W","family":"Pomare","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"W J","family":"Branch","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"C P","family":"Naylor","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"G T","family":"Macfarlane","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"239","published-online":{"date-parts":[[1987,10,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"891","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJM198104093041507","article-title":"incomplctc absorption of the carbohydrate in all-purposc whcat flour","volume":"304","author":"I Anderson IH, Levine AS, Levitt MD","year":"1981","unstructured":"I Anderson IH, Levine AS, Levitt MD. incomplctc absorption of the carbohydrate in all-purposc whcat flour. N Engl J Med 1981; 304: 891-2.","journal-title":"N Engl J Med"},{"key":"ref_2","first-page":"589","article-title":"Passagc of carbohydrate into the colon","volume-title":"Direct measurements in humans. Gastroenterology 1983; 85","author":"Stephen, A.M.; Haddad, A.C.; Phillips, S.F.","unstructured":"Stephen AM, Haddad AC, Phillips SF. Passagc of carbohydrate into the colon. Direct measurements in humans. Gastroenterology 1983; 85: 589-95."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"778","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/42.5.778","article-title":"Digestion of the polysaccharides of some cereal foods in the human small intestine","volume":"42","author":"Englyst, H.N.; Cummings, J.H.","year":"1985","unstructured":"Englyst HN, Cummings JH. Digestion of the polysaccharides of some cereal foods in the human small intestine. Am J Clin Nutr 1985; 42: 778-87.","journal-title":"Am J Clin Nutr"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"42","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/44.1.42","article-title":"Digestion of the carbohydrates of banana (Musa paradisiaca sapientum) in the human small intestine","volume":"44","author":"Englyst, H.N.; Cummings, J.H.","year":"1986","unstructured":"Englyst HN, Cummings JH. Digestion of the carbohydrates of banana (Musa paradisiaca sapientum) in the human small intestine. Am J Clin Nutr 1986; 44: 42-50.","journal-title":"Am J Clin Nutr"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"423","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/45.2.423","article-title":"Digestion of the polysaccharides of potato in the small intestine of man","volume":"45","author":"Englyst, H.N.; Cummings, J.H.","year":"1987","unstructured":"Englyst HN, Cummings JH. Digestion of the polysaccharides of potato in the small intestine of man. Am J Clin Nutr 1987; 45: 423-31.","journal-title":"Am J Clin Nutr"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"75","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1749-6632.1968.tb19033.x","article-title":"Hydrogen and methane production in man","volume":"150","author":"Levitt, M.D.; Ingelfinger, F.J.","year":"1968","unstructured":"Levitt MD, Ingelfinger FJ. Hydrogen and methane production in man. Ann NYAcad Sci 1968; 150: 75-81.","journal-title":"Ann NYAcad Sci"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"517","DOI":"10.1079\/BJN19700050","article-title":"Caloric conversion factors. An experimental reassessment of the factors used in the calculation of the energy value of human dicts","volume":"24","author":"Southgate, D.A.T.; Durnin, J.V.G.A.","year":"1970","unstructured":"Southgate DAT, Durnin JVGA. Caloric conversion factors. An experimental reassessment of the factors used in the calculation of the energy value of human dicts. Br J Nutr 1970; 24: 517-35.","journal-title":"Br J Nutr"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"65","DOI":"10.1093\/oxfordjournals.bmb.a071678","article-title":"Dietary fibre","volume":"37","author":"Cummings, J.H.","year":"1981","unstructured":"Cummings JH. Dietary fibre. Br Med Bull 1981; 37: 65-70.","journal-title":"Br Med Bull"},{"key":"ref_9","article-title":"The rumen and its microbes","author":"Hungate, R.E.","year":"1966","unstructured":"Hungate RE. The rumen and its microbes. New York: Academic Press, 1966."},{"key":"ref_10","article-title":"Digestive physiology in the pig","author":"Just, A.","year":"1985","unstructured":"Just A, Jorgensen H, Fernandez JA, eds. Digestive physiology in the pig. Kobenhavn: Trykt Frederiksberg Bogtrykkeri, 1985.","journal-title":"Kobenhavn: Trykt Frederiksberg Bogtrykkeri"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"383","DOI":"10.1016\/S0016-5085(19)34395-1","article-title":"Respiratory hydrogen and methane as affected by consumption of gas-forming foods","volume":"51","author":"Calloway, D.H.","year":"1966","unstructured":"Calloway DH. Respiratory hydrogen and methane as affected by consumption of gas-forming foods. Gastroenterology 1966; 51: 383-9.","journal-title":"Gastroenterology"},{"issue":"37","key":"ref_12","first-page":"549","article-title":"In vivo dialysis of facces as a method of stool analysis. IV. The organic anion component","volume":"1969","author":"Rubinstein, R.; Howard, A.V.; Wrong, O.M.","unstructured":"Rubinstein R, Howard AV, Wrong OM. In vivo dialysis of facces as a method of stool analysis. IV. The organic anion component. Clin Sci 1969; 37: 549-64.","journal-title":"Clin Sci"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"129","DOI":"10.1016\/B978-0-12-341280-5.50012-4","article-title":"Carbohydrate metabolism in the human colon","volume-title":"intestinal microflora in health and disease","author":"Salyers, A.A.; Leedle, J.A.Z.","year":"1983","unstructured":"Salyers AA, Leedle JAZ. Carbohydrate metabolism in the human colon. In: Hentges DJ, ed. Human intestinal microflora in health and disease. New York: Academic Press, 1983: 129-46."},{"key":"ref_14","article-title":"Gray.s aniatomy. 34th cd","author":"Davics, D.V.","year":"1969","unstructured":"Davics DV, Coupland RE, eds. Gray.s aniatomy. 34th cd. London: Longman, 1969."},{"key":"ref_15","article-title":"Anaerobic laboratory manual","author":"Holdeman, L.V.","year":"1977","unstructured":"Holdeman LV, Cato EP, Moore WEC, eds. Anaerobic laboratory manual.-Blacksburg, Virginia: VPI Anaerobe Laboratory, 1977."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1448","DOI":"10.1172\/JCI111847","article-title":"Carbohydrate fermentation in the human colon and its relation to acetate concentration in venous blood","volume":"75","author":"Pomare, E.W.; Branch, W.J.; Cummings, J.H.","year":"1985","unstructured":"Pomare EW, Branch WJ, Cummings JH. Carbohydrate fermentation in the human colon and its relation to acetate concentration in venous blood. J Clin Invest 1985; 75: 1448-54.","journal-title":"J Clin Invest"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"454","DOI":"10.1152\/ajplegacy.1975.228.2.454","article-title":"Sites of organic acid production and absorption in gastrointestinal tract of the pig","volume":"228","author":"Argenzio, R.A.; Southworth, M.","year":"1974","unstructured":"Argenzio RA, Southworth M. Sites of organic acid production and absorption in gastrointestinal tract of the pig. Am J Physiol 1974; 228: 454-60.","journal-title":"Am J Physiol"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"467","DOI":"10.2527\/jas1978.472467x","article-title":"VFA production in the pig large intestine","volume":"47","author":"Imoto, S.; Namioka, S.","year":"1978","unstructured":"Imoto S, Namioka S. VFA production in the pig large intestine. J Animal Sci 1978; 47: 467-78.","journal-title":"J Animal Sci"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"325","DOI":"10.1159\/000176989","article-title":"Effects of wheat bran and porridge oats on hepatic portal venous volatile fatty acids in the pig","volume":"29","author":"Topping, D.L.; Illman, R.J.; Taylor, M.N.; McIntosh, G.H.","year":"1985","unstructured":"Topping DL, Illman RJ, Taylor MN, McIntosh GH. Effects of wheat bran and porridge oats on hepatic portal venous volatile fatty acids in the pig. Ann Nutr Metab 1985; 29: 325-31.","journal-title":"Ann Nutr Metab"},{"key":"ref_20","first-page":"195","article-title":"Starch utilisation by the human large intestinal microflora","volume":"60","author":"Macfarlane, G.T.; Englyst, H.N.","year":"1986","unstructured":"Macfarlane GT, Englyst HN. Starch utilisation by the human large intestinal microflora. J Appl Microbiol 1986; 60: 195-201.","journal-title":"J Appl Microbiol"},{"key":"ref_21","first-page":"533","article-title":"Some current concepts in intestinal bacteriology","volume":"31","author":"Moore, W.E.C.; Cato, E.P.; Holdeman, L.V.","year":"1978","unstructured":"Moore WEC, Cato EP, Holdeman LV. Some current concepts in intestinal bacteriology. Am J Clin Nutr 1978; 31: 533-42.","journal-title":"Am J Clin Nutr"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1613","DOI":"10.1093\/jn\/113.8.1613","article-title":"Influence of dietary fiber on fecal excretion of volatile fatty acids by human adults","volume":"113","author":"Fleming, S.E.; Rodriguez, M.A.","year":"1983","unstructured":"Fleming SE, Rodriguez MA. Influence of dietary fiber on fecal excretion of volatile fatty acids by human adults. J Nutr 1983; 113: 1613-26.","journal-title":"J Nutr"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"375","DOI":"10.1080\/00365521.1984.12005738","article-title":"Short chain fatty acids in the normal human feces","volume":"19","year":"1984","unstructured":"Hoverstad T, Fausa 0, Bjorneklett A, Bohme T. Short chain fatty acids in the normal human feces. Scand J Gastroenterol 1984; 19: 375-81.","journal-title":"Scand J Gastroenterol"},{"key":"ref_24","first-page":"1557","article-title":"Composition of fecal water. Comparison of 'in vitro'","volume-title":"dialysis with ultrafiltration. Gastroenterology","volume":"86","author":"Vernia, P.; Breuer, R.I.; Gnaedinger, A.; Latella, G.; Santoro, M.L.","year":"1984","unstructured":"Vernia P, Breuer RI, Gnaedinger A, Latella G, Santoro ML. Composition of fecal water. Comparison of 'in vitro' dialysis with ultrafiltration. Gastroenterology 1984; 86: 1557-61."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2094","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/32.10.2094","article-title":"The effect of meat protein and dietary fiber on colonic function and metabolism. Part II. Bacteria metabolites in faeces and urine","volume":"32","author":"Cummings, J.H.; fill MJ; Bone, E.S.; Branch, W.J.; Jenkins, D.J.A.","year":"1979","unstructured":"Cummings JH, fill MJ, Bone ES, Branch WJ, Jenkins DJA. The effect of meat protein and dietary fiber on colonic function and metabolism. Part II. Bacteria metabolites in faeces and urine. Am J Clin Nutr 1979; 32: 2094-101.","journal-title":"Am J Clin Nutr"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"819","DOI":"10.1136\/gut.19.9.819","article-title":"Short chain fatty acid absorption by the human large intestine","volume":"19","author":"McNeil, N.I.; Cummings, J.H.; James, W.P.T.","year":"1978","unstructured":"McNeil NI, Cummings JH, James WPT. Short chain fatty acid absorption by the human large intestine. Gut 1978; 19: 819-22.","journal-title":"Gut"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1500","DOI":"10.1016\/S0016-5085(19)30508-6","article-title":"Absorption of short chain fatty acids by the colon","volume":"78","author":"Ruppin, H.; Bar-Meir, S.; Soergel, K.H.; Wood, C.M.; Schmitt, M.G.","year":"1980","unstructured":"Ruppin H, Bar-Meir S, Soergel KH, Wood CM, Schmitt MG. Absorption of short chain fatty acids by the colon. Gastroenterology 1980; 78: 1500-7.","journal-title":"Gastroenterology"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"754","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/33.4.754","article-title":"Effect of purified cellulose, pectin, and a low-residue diet on fecal volatile fatty acids, transit time, and fecal weight in humans","volume":"33","author":"Spiller, G.A.; Chernoff, M.C.; Hill, R.A.; Gates, J.E.; Nassar, J.J.; Shipley, E.A.","year":"1980","unstructured":"Spiller GA, Chernoff MC, Hill RA, Gates JE, Nassar JJ, Shipley EA. Effect of purified cellulose, pectin, and a low-residue diet on fecal volatile fatty acids, transit time, and fecal weight in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 1980; 33: 754-59.","journal-title":"Am J Clin Nutr"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"999","DOI":"10.1136\/gut.15.12.999","article-title":"Effects of lactulose and other laxatives on ileal and colonic pH as measured by a radiotelemetry device","volume":"15","author":"Bown, R.L.; Gibson, J.A.; Sladen, G.E.; Hicks, B.; Dawson, A.M.","year":"1974","unstructured":"Bown RL, Gibson JA, Sladen GE, Hicks B, Dawson AM. Effects of lactulose and other laxatives on ileal and colonic pH as measured by a radiotelemetry device. Gut 1974; 15: 999-1004.","journal-title":"Gut"},{"key":"ref_30","article-title":"Comparison of lactulose and lactitol on ileal and colonic pH","author":"Patil, D.H.; Westaby, D.; Mahida, Y.R.","year":"1985","unstructured":"Patil DH, Westaby D, Mahida YR, et al. Comparison of lactulose and lactitol on ileal and colonic pH. [Abstractl. Gut 1985; 26: A 1125.","journal-title":"[Abstractl. Gut; 26: A 1125"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"313","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1699-0463.1968.tb01345.x","article-title":"Parameters in 7-a-dehydroxylation of bile acids by anaerobic lactobacilli","volume":"72","author":"Midvedt, T.; Norman, A.","year":"1968","unstructured":"Midvedt T, Norman A. Parameters in 7-a-dehydroxylation of bile acids by anaerobic lactobacilli. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand 1968; 72: 313-29.","journal-title":"Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand"},{"key":"ref_32","first-page":"132","article-title":"Protein degradation by human intestinal bacteria","volume":"1986","author":"Macfarlane, G.T.; Cummings, J.H.; Allison, C.","unstructured":"Macfarlane GT, Cummings JH, Allison C. Protein degradation by human intestinal bacteria. J Gen Microbiol 1986: 132: 1647-56.","journal-title":"J Gen Microbiol"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"19","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1574-6968.1986.tb01934.x","article-title":"Utilisation of protein by human gut bacteria","volume":"38","author":"Macfarlane, G.T.; Allison, C.","year":"1986","unstructured":"Macfarlane GT, Allison C. Utilisation of protein by human gut bacteria. Microbiol. Ecol 1986; 38: 19-24.","journal-title":"Microbiol. Ecol"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"301","DOI":"10.1016\/0009-8981(81)90359-4","article-title":"Volatile fatty acids in human peripheral and portal blood: quantitation and determination by vacuum distillation and gaschromatography","volume":"110","author":"Dankert, J.; Zijlstra, J.B.; Wolthers, B.G.","year":"1981","unstructured":"Dankert J, Zijlstra JB, Wolthers BG. Volatile fatty acids in human peripheral and portal blood: quantitation and determination by vacuum distillation and gaschromatography. Clin Chim Acta 1981; 110: 301-7.","journal-title":"Clin Chim Acta"},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"419","DOI":"10.1079\/BJN19840107","article-title":"Absorption of electrolytes and volatile fatty acids in the hind-gut of the rabbit. Circadian rhythm of hind-gut electrolytes and plasma aldosterone","volume":"52","author":"Vernay, M.; Marty, J.; Moatti, J.-P.","year":"1984","unstructured":"Vernay M, Marty J, Moatti J-P. Absorption of electrolytes and volatile fatty acids in the hind-gut of the rabbit. Circadian rhythm of hind-gut electrolytes and plasma aldosterone. Br J Nutr 1984; 52: 419-28.","journal-title":"Br J Nutr"},{"key":"ref_36","first-page":"39","article-title":"Partition and absorption of volatile fatty acids in the alimentary canal of the rat","volume":"7","author":"Remesy, C.; Demigne, C.","year":"1976","unstructured":"Remesy C, Demigne C. Partition and absorption of volatile fatty acids in the alimentary canal of the rat. Ann Rech Veter 1976; 7: 39-55.","journal-title":"Ann Rech Veter"},{"key":"ref_37","first-page":"19","article-title":"Effects of dietary oat bran and diabetes on plasma and caecal volatile fatty acids in the rat","volume":"5","author":"Storer, G.B.; Trimble, R.P.; Illman, R.J.; Snoswell, A.M.; Topping, D.L.","year":"1983","unstructured":"Storer GB, Trimble RP, Illman RJ, Snoswell AM, Topping DL. Effects of dietary oat bran and diabetes on plasma and caecal volatile fatty acids in the rat. Nutr Res 1983; 3: 5 19-26.","journal-title":"Nutr Res"},{"key":"ref_38","first-page":"479","article-title":"VFA metabolism in the pig","volume":"47","author":"Imoto, S.; Namioka, S.","year":"1978","unstructured":"Imoto S, Namioka S. VFA metabolism in the pig. J A nim Sci 1978; 47: 479-87.","journal-title":"J A nim Sci"},{"key":"ref_39","article-title":"Diseases of the liver","author":"Schiff, L.; Schiff, E.R.","year":"1982","unstructured":"Schiff L, Schiff ER. Diseases of the liver. 5th ed. Philadelphia: J Lippincott Co, 1982.","edition":"5th ed"},{"issue":"156","key":"ref_40","first-page":"463","article-title":"Direct measurement of hepatic blood flow in surgical patients","volume":"1962","author":"Schenk, W.G.; McDonald, J.C.; McDonald, K.; Draponas, T.","unstructured":"Schenk WG, McDonald JC, McDonald K, Draponas T. Direct measurement of hepatic blood flow in surgical patients. Ann Surg 1962; 156: 463-9.","journal-title":"Ann Surg"},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"793","DOI":"10.1136\/gut.21.9.793","article-title":"Role of anaerobic bacteria in the metabolic welfare of the colonic mucosa in man","volume":"21","author":"Roediger, W.E.W.","year":"1980","unstructured":"Roediger WEW. Role of anaerobic bacteria in the metabolic welfare of the colonic mucosa in man. Gut 1980; 21: 793-8.","journal-title":"Gut"},{"key":"ref_42","article-title":"Der Stoffwechsel kurzkettiger Fettsauren im Colonepithel des Meerschweinchens und seine Bedeutung","author":"Wirthensohn, K.","year":"1981","unstructured":"Wirthensohn, K. Der Stoffwechsel kurzkettiger Fettsauren im Colonepithel des Meerschweinchens und seine Bedeutung fur die Natriumresoption. Thesis: University of Hohenheim, 1981."},{"key":"ref_43","first-page":"763","article-title":"Short chain fatty acids in the human colon","volume":"22","author":"Cummings, J.H.","year":"1981","unstructured":"Cummings JH. Short chain fatty acids in the human colon. Git 1981; 22: 763-79.","journal-title":"Git"}],"container-title":["Gut"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/syndication.highwire.org\/content\/doi\/10.1136\/gut.28.10.1221","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,13]],"date-time":"2025-12-13T07:37:06Z","timestamp":1765611426000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/gut.bmj.com\/lookup\/doi\/10.1136\/gut.28.10.1221"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[1987,10]]},"references-count":43,"journal-issue":{"issue":"10","published-online":{"date-parts":[[1987,10,1]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[1987,10]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1136\/gut.28.10.1221"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/gut.28.10.1221","relation":{},"ISSN":["0017-5749","1468-3288"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0017-5749","type":"print"},{"value":"1468-3288","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[1987,10]]}}}