The gut microbiota metabolite isovalerate enhances the epithelial barrier function in cell monolayers derived from porcine ileum organoids

The microbiota degrades branched-chain amino acids to produce branched-chain fatty acids, the effects of which on the intestinal epithelial barrier remain poorly described. In this study, we demonstrate that the leucine-derived metabolite isovalerate enhances epithelial barrier function in cell monolayers derived from porcine ileum organoids. We also identified gut microbiota species potentially able to produce branched-chain fatty acids that could be targeted to promote gut health.