A Comprehensive Review on Medium- and Long-Chain Fatty Acid-Derived Metabolites: From Energy Sources to Metabolic...

Area of Science:

• Microbiome research
• Metabolomics
• Host-microbe interactions

Background:

• Medium- and long-chain fatty acids (MLFAs) are precursors to bioactive metabolites.
• Gut microbes extensively modify dietary MLFAs into hydroxylated, conjugated, and keto-fatty acids.
• These microbial metabolites act on both metabolic and chemosensory receptors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the chemosensory-metabolic axis involving microbial MLFA derivatives.
• To understand how these metabolites integrate dietary signals, microbial metabolism, and host physiology.
• To identify new therapeutic and nutritional intervention strategies targeting this axis.

Main Methods:

• Advanced analytical chemistry techniques.
• Microbiome research methodologies.
• Metabolomic profiling of MLFA derivatives.

Main Results:

• Microbial MLFA derivatives activate FFARs, PPARs, olfactory receptors (ORs), and bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs).
• These metabolites regulate incretin secretion, adipogenesis, lipolysis, and feeding behavior.
• The microbiome acts as a transducer, converting dietary lipids into signaling molecules.

Conclusions:

• A novel chemosensory-metabolic axis integrates dietary lipids, microbial metabolism, and host signaling.
• Targeting specific receptors (ORs, TAS2Rs) or engineering probiotics offers therapeutic potential.
• Further research requires integrative approaches to understand receptor specificity and host variability.