Regulatory effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on the absorption of short chain fatty acids by intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are beneficial metabolites of intestinal microbiota. The regulation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on the uptake of SCFAs (acetic, propionic, and butyric acids) and their transporters by intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells were investigated. Results indicated that the absorption of SCFAs by cells was significantly increased by L. plantarum f2, f28, and f5 ( P < 0.05); but there are significant differences between L . plantarum f19 and f16 in regulating cells absorption of SCFAs ( P < 0.05). The protein and mRNA expression levels of monocarboxylate transporter 1, Na + /H + exchanger 2 (NHE2), NHE3, and putative anion transporter 1 transporters in cells were significantly regulated by surface proteins (SP) of f19 and f16 ( P < 0.05); meanwhile, there are also significant differences between the SP of f19 and f16 in regulating transporters ( P < 0.05). L. plantarum f19 and f16 improve the absorption of SCFAs by intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells by regulating the expression of SCFAs transporters through their SP. • The Caco-2 cells absorption of SCFAs was investigated by the ways of absorption and transportation. • A mixed SCFAs (acetic, propionic, and butyric acids) model of intestinal absorption was established. • The protein interaction was used to study the regulatory mechanism of L. plantarum f16 on Caco-2 cells absorption of SCFAs. • The surface proteins of L . plantarum f16 are conducive to the structure of the Caco-2 cells monolayer.