Assessment of short- and medium-chain fatty acids on mitochondrial function in severe inflammation

Mitochondrial dysfunction is regarded as one key factor involved in the pathogenesis of septic disorders, leading to a decline in energy supply. The influence of short- and medium-chain fatty acids (SCFA/MCFA) on mitochondrial respiration under inflammatory conditions has thus far not been investigated. In the following protocol, we describe the assessment of mitochondrial respiration using high-resolution respirometry under inflammatory and baseline conditions. For this approach, human endothelial cells and monocytes were pretreated with TNF-α to mimic inflammation followed by incubation with SCFA/MCFA and then subjected to high-resolution respirometry. Mitochondrial DNA content was assessed by PCR.