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Updated: May 7, 2025

Author Spotlight: Gut Microbiome-Lung Tissue Communication Through Short-Chain Fatty Acid Analysis
Published on: June 21, 2024
Gut feelings on short-chain fatty acids to regulate respiratory health
Samantha N Rowland1, Christopher G Green1, John R Halliwill2
1School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK.
Abstract:
Respiratory infections and diseases pose significant challenges to society and healthcare systems, underscoring the need for preventative and therapeutic strategies. Recent research in rodent models indicates that short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), metabolites produced by gut bacteria, may offer medicinal benefits for respiratory conditions. In this opinion, we summarize the current literature that highlights the potential of SCFAs to enhance immune balance in humans. SCFAs have demonstrated the potential to decrease the risk of primary and secondary respiratory infections, modulate allergic airway exacerbations, and improve overall epithelial pathogen defenses. Therefore, we suggest that systemic SCFA levels could be targeted to support gut and respiratory health in specific groups, such as patients in hospital, women and their offspring, children, older adults, and athletes/military personnel.
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