The SCFA-enhanced colonic absorption of water and electrolytes might be exploited in the treatment of acute diarrhoeal diseases. Oral rehydration therapy has dramatically changed the management of acute diarrhoeal disease. Yet, oral rehydration therapy is in the process of being improved. Cereal-based oral rehydration solutions (ORS) have been shown to reduce the stool volume by about 30% to 40% compared to the WHO-ORS (22, 23). It is possible that, at least a part of their effect on stool volume reduction might be attributed to SCFAs produced by unabsorbed carbohydrate including dietary fiber in the colon. Diversion colitis is an inflammatory process affecting the bypassed colon and rectum following surgical diversion of faecal stream (24). The inflammation disappears after surgical re-anastomosis, where topical steroids are usually ineffective (25). Rectal instillation of SCFAs has resulted in the disappearance of symptoms and endoscopic change over a period of 4-6 weeks; remission has been maintained for over a year by regular rectal SCFAs treatment (26). These findings suggest that SCFAs also play a role in mucosal healing in colitis