Dynamics of the Lipidome in a Colon Simulator

Current evidence suggests that gut microbiome-derived lipids play a crucial role in the regulation of host lipid metabolism. However, not much is known about the dynamics of gut microbial lipids within the distinct gut biogeographic. Here we applied targeted and untargeted lipidomics to in vitro-derived feces. Simulated intestinal chyme was collected from in vitro gut vessels (V1–V4), representing proximal to distal parts of the colon after 24 and 48 h with/without polydextrose treatment. In total, 44 simulated chyme samples were collected from the in vitro colon simulator. Factor analysis showed that vessel and time had the strongest impact on the simulated intestinal chyme lipid profiles. We found that levels of phosphatidylcholines, sphingomyelins, triacylglycerols, and endocannabinoids were altered in at least one vessel (V1–V4) during simulation. We also found that concentrations of triacylglycerols, diacylglycerols, and endocannabinoids changed with time (24 vs. 48 h of simulation). Together, we found that the simulated intestinal chyme revealed a wide range of lipids that remained altered in different compartments of the human colon model over time.