Do short chain fatty acids and phenolic metabolites of the gut have synergistic anti-inflammatory effects? – New insights from a TNF-α-induced Caco-2 cell model

Fermentation of dietary fiber and metabolism of polyphenols by the gut microbiota produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and some simple phenolic acids, both of which have been independently shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and to improve gut health. While synergistic interactions between the two colonic metabolite groups have been speculated, direct evidence on whether and how these compounds work together towards collective...