Effects of short chain fatty acids on metabolic and inflammatory processes in human health

Butyrate, propionate, and acetate are short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) mainly produced by bacterial metabolism in the human gut after dietary fiber intake. SCFAs are considered important for health maintenance by promoting lipid, glucose, and immune homeostasis with an adequate composition of intestinal microbiota, including other beneficial effects like providing protection against colorectal cancer. Therapies with exogenous SCFAs have been proposed to reduce inflammation in intestinal diseases that result from SCFA dysbiosis and cause mucosal inflammation. The aim of this mini-review was to provide an overview of the importance of SCFAs on metabolic and inflammatory processes as well as their role in treating chronic inflammatory disorders.