University of Gothenburg: SCFA's Role in Host Physiology and Disease

This report provides a comprehensive review of the role of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as key bacterial metabolites and their profound impact on host physiology. The review begins by establishing the critical links between gut microbiota composition, host diet, and overall health outcomes, emphasizing how microbially produced metabolites, particularly SCFAs, act as crucial mediators of diet-based microbial influence. It delves into the diverse functional roles of SCFAs, including their ability to activate G-coupled receptors, inhibit histone deacetylases, and serve as energy substrates. The report explores SCFA biosynthesis, absorption, and distribution, highlighting the major SCFAs—acetate, propionate, and butyrate—and the various pathways involved in their production. It further examines the effects of SCFAs as signaling molecules, specifically focusing on their role as HDAC inhibitors and their impact on cancer and inflammation. The report discusses the "butyrate paradox" and the cell- and environment-specific effects of butyrate. Overall, the review underscores the significance of SCFAs in various physiological processes and their potential contributions to both health and disease, offering valuable insights into the complex interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and host well-being.