Figure 3.

Regulation of short-chain fatty acids to improve kidney function SCFAs can decrease the disruption of epithelial tight junction. After getting absorbed in blood, SCFAs can suppress oxidation stress by increasing superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione, and by decreasing nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can lead to the decline of renal fibrosis and amelioration of tubular damage. In addition, SCFAs can also inhibit apoptosis by promoting autophagy and suppressing inflammation by regulating immune system, thereby decreasing serum creatine as well as blood urea nitrogen to improve renal function. Regulation of SCFAs on blood pressure and plasma glucose may help to ameliorate renal function in chronic kidney diseases. However, SCFAs can also increase Th17 and Th1 cells to promote acetate- or C2-induced renal disease (C2RD) under certain condition, as the negative outcomes of SCFAs on kidney.

Abbreviation: SCFAs, short-chain fatty acids.