Fatty acid metabolism: The crossroads in intestinal homeostasis and tumor

Fatty acids (FAs) have various functions on cell regulation considering their abundant types and metabolic pathways. In addition, the relation between FA and other nutritional metabolism makes their functions more complex. As the first place for diet-derived FA metabolism, intestine is significantly influenced despite lack of clear conclusions due to the inconsistent findings. In this review, we discuss the regulation of fatty acid metabolism on the fate of intestinal stem cells in homeostasis and disorders, and also focus on the intestinal tumor development and treatment from the aspect of gut microbiota-epithelium-immune interaction. We summarize that the balances between FA oxidation and glycolysis, between oxidative phosphorylation and ketogenesis, between catabolism and anabolism, and the specific roles of individual FA types determine the diverse effects of intestinal FA metabolism in different cases. We hope this will inspire further dissection and suggest precise dietary/metabolic intervention for different demands related to intestinal health.