Contents Introduction and aim of the book Chapter 1. Physiological and metabolic functions of the intestinal epithelium: from the small to the large intestine 1.1 The intestine displays multiple physiological functions in addition to absorption of components originating from food 1.2 The intestinal epithelium represents a border between the outdoor and internal environment 1.3 Structure and function of the small intestine epithelium. Metabolism of nutrients in enterocytes 1.4 Structure and functions of the large intestine epithelium. Metabolism of nutrients in colonocytes Chapter 2.

Intestine offers board and lodging for intestinal microbes on a short- or long-term stay 2.1 The human intestinal microbiota: a complex mixture 2.2 Bacteria concentration, composition, and diversity during the whole life - Installation of the intestinal microbiota after birth, and evolution of the composition during development - Evolution of the intestinal microbiota during ageing - Supply of substrates by the host to the intestinal microbiota - Microbiota and the host intestinal epithelium: binding of microbe components to epithelial cells and consequences - Microbiota, production of toxins, and effects on the intestinal epithelium Chapter 3. Metabolism of dietary substrates by intestinal bacteria and consequences for the host intestine 3.1 Metabolism of proteins and amino acids by the intestinal microbiota and impact on the intestinal epithelium metabolism and functions -Amino acid-derived bacterial metabolites and effects on the intestinal epithelium -Effects of the amount of dietary proteins on the intestinal ecosystem and consequences 3.2 Metabolism of polysaccharides by the intestinal microbiota and impact on the intestinal epithelium metabolism and functions -Polysaccharide-derived bacterial metabolites and effects on the intestinal epithelium -Effects of the amount of dietary polysaccharides on the intestinal ecosystem and consequences 3.3 Metabolism of lipids by the intestinal microbiota -Lipid-derived bacterial metabolites and effects on the intestinal ecosystem -Effects of the amount of dietary lipids on the intestinal ecosystem and consequences 3.4 Metabolism of purine nucleotides by the intestinal microbiota 3.

5 Metabolism of phytochemicals by the intestinal microbiota and impact on the intestinal epithelium metabolism and functions 3.6 Osmolarity and pH of the luminal fluid and effects on the intestinal epithelium 3.7 Bacterial metabolites and the intestinal immune system 3.8 Minerals and the intestinal microbiota: consequences for the intestinal ecosystem 3.9 Vitamins and the intestinal microbiota: consequences for the intestinal ecosystem 3.10 Food additives and compounds produced during cooking processes and the intestinal microbiota: consequences for the intestinal ecosystem Chapter 4. Alimentation, bacterial metabolites and host intestinal epithelium 4.1 Dietary compounds, bacterial metabolites and mucosal inflammation and subsequent healing 4.

2 Dietary compounds, bacterial metabolites and colorectal cancer 4.3 Dietary compounds, bacterial metabolites and diarrhea Chapter 5. Modification of the bacterial metabolites by the host after absorption, and consequences for the peripheral tissues metabolism, physiology, and patophysiology 5.1 Bacterial metabolites and production of co-metabolites by the host 5.2 Bacterial metabolites and the gut-liver axis 5.3 Bacterial metabolites and the gut-kidney axis 5.4 Bacterial metabolites and the gut-cardiovascular system axis 5.5 Bacterial metabolites and the gut-bone axis 5.

6 Bacterial metabolites and the gut-brain axis Chapter 6. Lessons to be learned from clinical and experimental research on the intestinal microbiota metabolic activity for health benefit and perspectives 6.1 Modulating the intestinal microbiota metabolic activity. The interest of metabolomics analysis of biological fluids 6.2 The needs for further mechanistic studies for enlightening the black box between bacterial metabolites and co-metabolites production and effects on host tissues 6.3 The needs for further dietary intervention studies in volunteers.