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Updated: Jun 3, 2025
Author Spotlight: Gut Microbiome-Lung Tissue Communication Through Short-Chain Fatty Acid Analysis
Published on: June 21, 2024
The gut microbiota-SCFA-inflammation axis in patients with AECOPD
Hengjing Zhu1, Chen Wu2, Haiyan Wu3
1Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
Objectives:
The aim of the study was to explore the alteration of microbiota and SCFA in gut and inflammation in acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) patients, and to test the hypothesis that a disorder of gut microbiota will lead to the alteration of SCFA, which will aggravate inflammation in AECOPD patients.
Methods And Results:
24 patients with AECOPD and 18 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Gut microbiota were analyzed by 16S rDNA and serum was used to detect levels of inflammatory factors by ELISA. Fatty acid concentrations were determined in lumen via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The richness and diversity of gut microbiota were decreased in AECOPD patients. β-diversity analysis revealed differences between AECOPD patients and healthy controls. p_Bacteroidetes, g_Paraprevotella, g_Ruminococcus2, g_Parasutterella, o_Rhodospirillales, and g_Romboutsia in the healthy controls and p_Firmicutes, o_Actinomycetales, f_Actinomycetadeae, g_Actinomyces, g_Mogibacterium, f_Veillonellaceae, f_Enterococcaceae, and g_Enterococcus in AECOPD patients were the most abundant microbiota. SCFA levels were decreased in patients with AECOPD. In addition, the results demonstrated that except for a reduction in IL-6, there was no change in inflammatory markers in AECOPD patients.
Conclusion:
In AECOPD patients, the gut microbiota-SCFA-inflammation axis is augmented, with decreased diversity and abundance of gut microbiota, leading to a reduction in SCFA and an imbalance of inflammation.
Insights
Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is linked to gut microbiota changes, reduced short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and inflammation. This study explores the gut microbiota-SCFA-inflammation axis in AECOPD patients.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Gastroenterology
- Pulmonary medicine
Background:
- The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining host health.
- Alterations in gut microbiota composition have been associated with various inflammatory conditions.
- Understanding the gut microbiota's role in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is important for potential therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in patients with AECOPD.
- To examine the relationship between gut microbiota alterations, SCFA levels, and inflammation in AECOPD.
- To test the hypothesis that gut dysbiosis exacerbates inflammation in AECOPD.
Main Methods:
- Gut microbiota composition was analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing.
- Serum inflammatory markers were measured via ELISA.
- Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations in the gut lumen were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Main Results:
- AECOPD patients exhibited decreased gut microbiota richness and diversity compared to healthy controls.
- Significant differences in gut microbiota composition (β-diversity) were observed between AECOPD patients and controls.
- SCFA levels were reduced in AECOPD patients, and only IL-6 showed a reduction among measured inflammatory markers.
Conclusions:
- AECOPD is associated with an imbalanced gut microbiota-SCFA-inflammation axis.
- Reduced gut microbiota diversity and abundance in AECOPD patients lead to decreased SCFAs.
- This dysregulation contributes to an inflammatory imbalance in AECOPD.
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