Relationship Between Dietary Fiber Intake and Short-Chain Fatty Acid-Producing Bacteria During Critical Illness: A...

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Microbiome Research

Background:

• Dietary fiber promotes short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria.
• Fiber is often restricted in intensive care unit (ICU) settings.
• This study investigates fiber's safety and impact on the gut microbiome in ICU patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and tolerability of dietary fiber in ICU patients.
• To assess the effect of fiber intake on the abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria.
• To analyze the relationship between fiber intake and gut microbiome composition.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study within a prospective cohort of ICU adults.
• Fiber intake assessed over 72 hours, categorized into tertiles.
• Gut microbiome analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing of rectal swabs.
• Primary outcome: relative abundance (RA) of SCFA producers; secondary outcome: tolerability.

Main Results:

• High-fiber intake (median 13.4 g/72h) was associated with less abdominal distension and no increase in diarrhea.
• Median RA of SCFA producers increased significantly with higher fiber intake (P < .01 after energy correction).
• Associations remained significant after adjusting for clinical factors, including antibiotic use.

Conclusions:

• Dietary fiber is well-tolerated in ICU patients within 72 hours of admission.
• Increased fiber intake is linked to a higher abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria.
• Findings support the potential role of fiber in modulating the ICU gut microbiome.