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Physiological and Metabolic Functions of the Intestinal Epithelium: From the Small to the Large Intestine

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Metabolism of Alimentary Compounds by the Intestinal Microbiota and Health

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Abstract

The intestinal epithelium in both the small and the large intestine represents a selective barrier between the luminal fluid and the bloodstream. This structure is rapidly renewed from the division of stem cells in crypts followed by their migration and differentiation in specialized cells with specific functions including absorption of alimentary compounds, secretion of mucus and hormones, and immune homeostasis in a context of microbial loads. Fully mature epithelial cells are finally exfoliated in the luminal fluid allowing the maintenance of the epithelial structure. Absorptive intestinal epithelial cells are characterized by an intense energy metabolism that allows macromolecule synthesis and movement of nutrients in the small intestine, and water and electrolyte absorption in the large intestine. These cells which are polarized can receive their fuels from the luminal content and from the bloodstream. In the case of the large intestine, the colonocytes can absorb large amounts of numerous metabolites produced by the intestinal microbiota and metabolize a part of them during their transfer from the luminal fluid to the bloodstream. Metabolism in enterocytes of the small intestine and in the colonocytes is important not only for energy production but also for intracellular signaling and inter-organ relationships.

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  1. UMR PNCA, Nutrition Physiology and Alimentary Behavior, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, INRAE, Paris, France

    François Blachier

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Blachier, F. (2023). Physiological and Metabolic Functions of the Intestinal Epithelium: From the Small to the Large Intestine. In: Metabolism of Alimentary Compounds by the Intestinal Microbiota and Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-26322-4_1

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