Elsevier

Journal of Infection

Volume 14, Issue 1, January 1987, Pages 43-48, IN2, 49-53
Journal of Infection

Original article
Short-chain fatty acids produced by anaerobic bacteria alter the physiological responses of human neutrophils to chemotactic peptide

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0163-4453(87)90808-5Get rights and content

Summary

The effect of some short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced by anaerobic bacteria, namely acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric and succinic acids, on production of light and release of lysozyme by human neutrophils exposed to chemotactic peptide fMet-Leu-Phe was investigated.

A short period of incubation of neutrophils with SCFA led to marked inhibition of both granulocytic chemiluminescence and degranulation (P < 0·001).

Ultrastructural studies of neutrophils, incubated with concentrations of SCFA inhibiting the chemotactic response, chemiluminescence and release of lysozyme (30 mmol/l), effected alterations in cellular morphology with formation of protrusions of varying shape.

The data reported indicate that SCFA might be regarded as important pathogenicity factors. The observed effect on neutrophils could also partially explain the ability of anaerobes to inhibit their own phagocytosis and killing as well as that of the aerobic species present in mixed infections.

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    This work has been supported by CNR Grants no. 84.02044.52 Progetto finalizzato ‘Controlle delle Malattie da Infezione’ and no. CT 84.01722.04.

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