Short-chain fatty acids and gut microbiota in multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Microbiome research
• Metabolomics

Background:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated neurological disease with unknown causes.
• The gut microbiota and its metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), are increasingly implicated in MS.
• This review synthesizes current literature on SCFAs and gut microbiota in MS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the literature on SCFAs and their impact on MS.
• To examine studies on the gut microbiota in MS patients.
• To highlight the relationship between gut microbial metabolites and MS pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

• A systematic PubMed search was performed on October 12, 2017.
• Included studies focused on SCFAs in MS and the EAE model, and gut microbiota in MS patients.
• 14 studies were selected for this review.

Main Results:

• Animal models (EAE) show SCFAs can reduce disease severity.
• No direct studies on SCFAs in human MS patients were found.
• MS patients' gut microbiota shows reduced SCFA-producing bacteria.

Conclusions:

• SCFA's role in MS is suggested by EAE studies but unconfirmed in humans.
• MS patients exhibit altered gut microbiota composition compared to healthy individuals.
• Further research is needed to clarify the role of gut microbiota and SCFAs in MS.