Research
Short-Chain Fatty Acids (Butyrate / SCFA)
13 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.
Studies
Sorted by quality and recency
Short-chain fatty acids in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the efficacy of oral and topical short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in patients with ulcerative colitis. SCFA supplementation was associated with reductions in fecal calprotectin and C-reactive protein levels, and improvements in Ulcerative Colitis Disease Activity Index and histological scores. No adverse effects were observed.
Sweet and sour synergy: exploring the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of acetic acid and vinegar combined with medical-grade honeys.
Systematic review investigating the antimicrobial effects of vinegars and acetic acid, alone and in combination with medical-grade honeys, against human pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Some vinegars showed antibacterial activity exceeding that predicted by their acetic acid content, with potential synergistic antibiofilm activity with manuka honey.
The effects of SCFAs on glycemic control in humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 46 studies on the effects of SCFAs, including acetate, propionate, butyrate, and vinegar, on glycemic control in humans. Vinegar intake decreased acute glucose response in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes and healthy volunteers, while other SCFAs showed no significant effect. Significant heterogeneity and biases were noted, urging caution in interpreting results.
Supplementation with short-chain fatty acids and a prebiotic improves clinical outcome in Parkinson's disease: a randomized double-blind prospective study.
Randomized double-blind prospective study of 72 Parkinson's disease patients receiving propionic and butyric acid and/or prebiotic fiber 2'-fucosyllactose supplementation for 6 months. The study found improvements in motor symptoms, reductions in levodopa medication, modulation of immune responses, and enhanced mitochondrial respiration. Microbiota changes were associated with improved gut barrier functions.
Daily Vinegar Ingestion Improves Depression and Enhances Niacin Metabolism in Overweight Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
RCT examining the effects of daily vinegar ingestion on depression symptoms in healthy overweight adults. Vinegar ingestion improved self-reported depression symptomology and enhanced niacin metabolism over four weeks.
Investigating serum concentration profiles of orally ingested short-chain fatty acid supplements.
The study investigated the acute circulating concentration profiles of acetate, propionate, and butyrate following oral supplementation. It examined the impact of capsule coating, supplementation dose, and a short repeated supplementation routine on serum SCFA levels. Results showed that non-acid resistant capsules led to earlier and more intense peak serum concentrations, and a graded dose relationship was observed for propionate and butyrate.
Modulation of the Serum Metabolome by the Short-Chain Fatty Acid Propionate: Potential Implications for Its Cholesterol-Lowering Effect.
RCT investigating the effects of oral propionate supplementation on the human serum metabolome and its cholesterol-lowering properties. Propionate supplementation significantly increased distinct bile acids, with the secondary bile acid DCA showing a negative correlation with serum cholesterol levels.
A randomized dietary intervention to increase colonic and peripheral blood SCFAs modulates the blood B- and T-cell compartments in healthy humans.
A randomized crossover dietary intervention in 20 healthy adults compared a high-SCFA diet to a low-SCFA diet over 21 days. The high-SCFA diet increased fecal and plasma SCFA concentrations and modulated blood B- and T-cell compartments, suggesting potential immune-modulating effects.
Daily Vinegar Ingestion Improves Depression Scores and Alters the Metabolome in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
RCT examining the impact of daily vinegar ingestion on mood states and urinary metabolites in healthy college students. The vinegar group showed significant improvements in depression scores and alterations in metabolites associated with improved mood after four weeks.
Delivery of Acetate to the Peripheral Blood after Consumption of Foods High in Short-Chain Fatty Acids.
The study quantifies short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in commonly consumed foods and beverages, finding acetate as the most abundant SCFA. An acute pharmacokinetic study in 10 participants shows that consuming a vinegar drink significantly increases plasma acetate concentration, suggesting fermented foods and beverages as a natural source of dietary SCFA that deliver SCFA to the blood.
Effects of targeted delivery of propionate to the human colon on appetite regulation, body weight maintenance and adiposity in overweight adults.
RCT investigating the effects of inulin-propionate ester on energy intake and weight gain in overweight adults. Propionate increased PYY and GLP-1 secretion, reduced energy intake, and prevented weight gain and deterioration in insulin sensitivity over 24 weeks.
Short chain fatty acids are effective in short-term treatment of chronic radiation proctitis: randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.
A randomized, double-blind trial evaluated the therapeutic effect of short chain fatty acid enemas in 19 patients with chronic radiation proctitis. The treatment significantly decreased rectal bleeding and improved endoscopic scores after five weeks, but continuous treatment is necessary for sustained improvement.
Short-chain fatty acids in the treatment of radiation proctitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over pilot trial.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over pilot trial investigated the effects of butyric acid enemas on chronic radiation proctitis in 15 patients. The study found that butyric acid enemas did not significantly improve symptoms, endoscopic appearances, or histology compared to placebo.