Short-chain fatty acids production pathway (SCFA production pathway)

The **Short-chain fatty acids production pathway** comprises a series of microbial biochemical reactions in the gut, predominantly involving bacterial fermentation of dietary fibers and resistant starches, leading to the generation of SCFAs such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate[1][3][5]. These SCFAs serve as vital energy sources for colonocytes, reinforce gut barrier integrity, and have systemic anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. SCFA signaling contributes to host metabolic homeostasis, including glucose regulation, immune modulation, and protection against pathogens and inflammation. Changes in SCFA production are linked to diverse outcomes in metabolic, immune, and neurological health, and are influenced by diet, microbiota composition, and host factors[1][3][4][5]. While not a drug target itself, the pathway’s activity can be clinically relevant as a biomarker or therapeutic endpoint, particularly in conditions such as colorectal cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic gut inflammation[1][2][5]. This pathway should not be entered as a canonical molecular target; instead, individual enzymes, transporters (e.g., monocarboxylate transporters), or SCFA receptors (e.g., GPR41, GPR43) may serve as therapeutically actionable targets[4].

Other names

SCFA pathwaygut microbial fermentation pathwayintestinal SCFA synthesismicrobial SCFA biosynthesis