Microencapsulated OPO Enhances Intestinal SCFA Production by Optimizing Lipid Digestion and Regulating Bile Acid Metabolism in Mice.

1,3-Dioleoyl-2-palmitoylglycerol (OPO) mimics breast milk fat, yet its regulation of gut short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) remains unclear. Herein, stable OPO microcapsules (94.12% efficiency) were prepared using soy protein isolate/maltodextrin. Integrating metabolomics and transcriptomics in mice, we found OPO intervention dose-dependently increased acetic, propanoic, and butyric acids in the jejunum and colon. Multi-omics analysis revealed OPO upregulated key genes governing lipid digestion (FABP2, NPC1L1, MTTP) and bile secretion (ABCA1). These results indicate that OPO is closely associated with increased SCFA production, suggesting a potential pathway wherein optimized host nutrient digestion and absorption patterns create a favorable metabolic environment for distal microbial fermentation, rather than merely providing substrates. This study provides correlative multi-omics insights into a potential mechanism for OPO's health benefits in functional foods.