Discussion

Saturated and unsaturated free fatty acids (FFA), as well as hydroxy carboxylic acids (HCA), such as lactate and ketone bodies, are able to exert cellular effects through G-protein-coupled receptors which are named FFA1-FFA4 and HCA1-HCA3. Work of the last decade has shown that these receptors are widely expressed in the human body and regulate the metabolic, endocrine or immune systems to maintain homeostasis under changing dietary conditions. Data on the role of short chain fatty acid, lactate and ketone body receptors in the regulation of adipocyte, immune and beta-cell functions will be presented.