Gut microbiota: A key player for soluble dietary fiber in regulating inflammatory disease

Soluble dietary fiber (SDF) plays a significant role in modulating immune responses, particularly in the context of inflammatory diseases. SDF enhances intestinal barrier integrity and regulates immune function by modulating the composition of the gut microbiota and increasing the production of beneficial microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), 3-hydroxyoctadecaenoic acid, pentadecanoic acid, and bile acids. Current evidence suggests that SDF holds therapeutic potential in managing chronic inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Despite these promising findings, the mechanisms by which SDF exerts its effects, particularly in distal organs and neuroinflammatory conditions, remain poorly understood. This review explores the mechanistic pathways by which SDF modulates immune regulation and highlights the current challenges and future strategies for optimizing its clinical application in treating inflammatory diseases.