Abstract
Background and Aim
The gut barrier protects the liver through tight junctions, which are disrupted in liver disease either from dysbiosis, inflammation, or the effects of ingested compounds such as alcohol. Strengthening of the gut barrier may ameliorate liver injury of varying etiologies. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been shown to improve gut barrier function. This systematic review aims to synthesize all studies that have trialed SCFA supplementation as a therapy for liver disease.
Methods
A systematic review assessing the impact of SCFA supplementation on liver injury and intestinal permeability was conducted. All forms of intervention that specifically increased intestinal SCFA concentration and measured both liver injury and permeability were eligible. Two independent reviewers assessed each study for outcomes, risk of bias, and quality using checklists relevant to the study's methodology.
Results
Seventeen studies were identified; two utilized a human model (15 murine). Fifty‐eight markers of liver injury were identified, with 26 different measures of permeability. Given the numerous designs, no meta‐analysis was possible. SCFA supplements included oral and enteral butyrate, probiotics, and prebiotics. Fourteen studies demonstrated improved permeability. All studies showed a significant amelioration of liver injury.
Conclusions
Short chain fatty acid supplementation to reduce intestinal permeability represents a potential therapy in a variety of liver disease models. A large number of outcome measures were reported however not all are practical in human studies. Future work should evaluate methods to increase luminal SCFA concentrations and the effect of this on gut permeability and liver inflammation in people with liver disease.
Keywords: cirrhosis, liver injury, permeability, SCFA
Introduction
Despite the breadth in both acuity and etiology of liver disease, the gut‐liver axis is implicated to play a central role in the pathogenesis of all presentations. Defined as the bidirectional relationship between the gut, its microbiome, and the liver, 1 this is enabled by the portal vein, mediated by the gut mucosal barrier and affected by genetic, dietary and environmental factors. 2
Cirrhosis (of any etiology) is associated with profound gut dysbiosis. 3 Dysbiosis contributes to reduced gut epithelial integrity through the alteration of tight junctions and disruption of the mucous layer and is associated with disease severity. 3 , 4 , 5 Studies have documented increased gut permeability in patients with cirrhosis, particularly those with advanced cirrhosis or ascites. 6 Disruption of the gut barrier exposes the liver to inflammatory signals and pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), driving liver damage. 1 Understanding the role of the gut barrier and microbiome in the development of liver disease has identified a potential for therapeutics that target increased intestinal permeability.
Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) derived from the bacterial fermentation of indigestible fibers act as the main source of energy for colonocytes and have been reliably shown to strengthen gut barrier function. 7 Supplementation with oral SCFAs as well as transplantation of SCFA producing probiotic bacteria strengthens the integrity of the paracellular junctions between colonocytes. 8
Interventions that increase intestinal SCFAs may slow or halt the progression of liver disease by reducing the immune‐related damage caused by portal transmission of PAMPs and bacterial endotoxins. This systematic review aims to identify, evaluate, and synthesize all literature investigating the effect of treatments designed to increase intestinal SCFA concentration on liver outcomes and gut barrier integrity in the context of liver disease.
Methods
A systematic review was performed.
Eligibility criteria
In order to be eligible for inclusion studies must have met the following criteria:
Population – Human studies or murine models of acute or chronic liver disease of any etiology.
Intervention – Any of administration of SCFAs enterically; high fiber diet with the explicit intention of increasing SCFA concentrations; and microbial interventions (either fecal microbiota transplant, prebiotic, or probiotic therapy) with the explicit intention of increasing SCFA concentrations.
Comparisons – Non‐intervention.
Outcomes – Studies must have assessed both changes to intestinal permeability and markers of liver disease.
All study designs were accepted, and given the paucity of research in this area, no minimum or maximum durations were required. Conference abstracts were excluded as were unpublished manuscripts and papers that did not measure both outcomes. Cell culture models are not able to assess both intestinal permeability and liver injury in the context of active liver disease. These were acknowledged if performed alongside a human or animal model but excluded if the sole methodology.
Search strategy
A three‐stage search strategy was employed. A basic ‘fact‐finding’ search of the PubMed database was first employed to identify key words. The PubMed/MEDLINE and CENTRAL/Cochrane databases were then searched using the PICO search strategy in the supporting information, between January and July 2021 with no constraint on dates of articles. A combination of cirrhosis, short chain fatty acid, permeability, and their synonyms was used.
The reference lists of identified reports and any relevant reviews were examined. The abstracts of potentially eligible titles were screened. Two reviewers independently collected data from each report, with any disagreements resolved by a third reviewer. No specialist software was utilized.
Both direct and surrogate markers of liver injury and intestinal permeability were accepted. A meta‐analysis was planned but not possible as the review found that numerous study designs and measures of both permeability and liver injury were used. Patient‐level data were not sought.
Risk of bias, quality, and certainty assessment
Two reviewers independently assessed for bias, with and disagreements settled by a third reviewer. Animal studies, observational studies, and randomized trials were assessed using the ARRIVE 2.0, 9 STROBE, 10 and CONSORT 11 checklists, respectively. Marks were awarded for each checklist item, with two marks awarded if the whole item was clearly reported, one mark if partially reported, and zero mark if missing. Scores were totaled, and a mark of good (> 80%), average (50–80%), or poor (< 50%) awarded. 12
Results
There were no foreign language reports; 741 records were identified of which 17 met all the selection criteria (Fig. 1). Of the 94 articles assessed for inclusion, 61 were duplicates, 9 utilized an intervention other than SCFAs, 6 used cell culture models only without concurrent liver assessment, and 1 did not measure liver injury. Permeability was significantly reduced by the SCFA intervention in all measures in 13 studies, in some measures in 1 study, and unaffected in 3 studies. Liver injury was significantly ameliorated by the SCFA intervention in all studies, with 12 reporting universal improvements in liver‐related outcomes and 5 showing an improvement in some measures only. Table 1 provides a summary of the effects of increasing SCFA concentrations on permeability and liver injury measured in the identified studies. Table 2 summarizes the pathologies and interventions studied along with individual quality assessments.
Figure 1.
Study selection flow diagram.
Table 1.
Summary of key findings on gut permeability and liver injury of eligible studies
| Study | Effect on permeability | Effect on liver injury |
|---|---|---|
| Endo et al. 13 | ||
| Cresci et al. 14 | ||
| Liu et al. 15 | ||
| Yang et al. 16 | ||
| Jin et al. 17 | ||
| Ferolla et al. 18 | ||
| Cresci et al. 19 | ||
| Matheus et al. 20 | ||
| Wu et al. 21 | ||
| Zhou et al. 22 | ||
| Hu et al. 23 | ||
| Krawcyzk et al. 24 | ||
| Peng et al. 25 | ||
| Ye et al. 26 | ||
| Baumann et al. 27 | ||
| Jiang et al. 28 | ||
| Yang et al. 29 |
Specific findings for each study are summarized in Table S1. Green: significantly reduced in all measures. Amber: significantly reduced in some measures. Red: not significantly altered.
Table 2.
The liver injuries and interventions studied with quality/bias assessments
| Study | Liver injury studied | Intervention | Quality/bias assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endo et al. 13 | NASH | Clostridium butyricum | |
| Cresci et al. 14 | Alcohol | Tributyrin | |
| Liu et al. 15 | Ischemia | NaB | |
| Yang et al. 16 | Toxin | NaB | |
| Jin et al. 17 | NASH | NaB | |
| Ferolla et al. 18 | NASH | Prebiotic | |
| Cresci et al. 19 | Alcohol | Tributyrin | |
| Matheus et al. 20 | NASH | NaB | |
| Wu et al. 21 | AIH | NaB | |
| Zhou et al. 22 | NASH | NaB | |
| Hu et al. 23 | AIH | High fiber diet + NaB | |
| Krawcyzk et al. 24 | NASH | High fiber diet | |
| Peng et al. 25 | NASH | NaB | |
| Ye et al. 26 | NASH | NaB | |
| Baumann et al. 27 | NASH | NaB | |
| Jiang et al. 28 | Alcohol | Pediococcus pentosaceus | |
| Yang et al. 29 | NASH | C. butyricum + NaB |
Amber: average. Red: poor.
AIH, auto‐immune hepatitis; NaB, sodium butyrate; NASH, non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Table S1 details the specific models and findings of the identified studies. Studies excluded at the full‐text screening stage are listed in the supporting information. All of the identified studies measured permeability using outcomes specific to the paracellular pathway. It is this pathway that is governed by tight junctions and felt to be responsible for the “leaking” of PAMPs and inflammatory signals that drive liver injury.
Quality and risk of bias assessment
Fourteen studies scored “average” and three “poor.” In the murine studies, there was a universally poor reporting of blinding and animal care/monitoring leading to lower scores. Full assessments are presented in Tables S2–S4.
As all of the eligible papers utilized varying models and laboratory methods, and a large number of outcome measures were identified (Tables S5 and S6), no meta‐analysis was possible. All studies used control groups which did not receive the SCFA intervention.
Effect of short chain fatty acids on permeability and liver injury in murine alcohol related liver disease models
Three studies assessed the impact of SCFA supplementation in alcohol‐related liver disease using chronic, short term, and binge alcohol ingestion murine models. 14 , 19 , 28 The SCFA used in two of the studies was tributyrin, and one study used a probiotic containing the SCFA‐producing strain Pediococcus pentosaceus .
Cresci et al. 14
Model
Hepatic triglycerides, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), plasma alanine transaminase (ALT), and histological tight junction (TJ) protein expression were compared in a binge model (2 days ad lib alcohol followed by a single large dose of alcohol after an overnight fast) and a chronic model (increasing alcohol over 25 days). Mice either received tributyrin (a pro‐drug of butyrate) supplementation or not. Pair fed mice acted as controls.
Effect on liver
Tributyrin pre‐treatment blunted binge induced increases in ALT. Tributyrin also prevented histological (liver) tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α rises in the binge feeding model. Hepatic triglyceride rises were not mitigated by tributyrin supplementation.
Effect on permeability
Pre‐treatment and dietary supplementation with tributyrin protected tight junction protein expression in both models.
Cresci et al. 19
Model
The effect of tributyrin was evaluated in a chronic alcohol model (sustained alcohol feeding for 10 days, followed by a single gavage of alcohol).
Effect on liver
Tributyrin protected against caval plasma ALT rises. Histological (liver) TLR4 and TNF‐α levels in the tributyrin treated group remained the same as controls. Histologically, tributyrin supplementation did not prevent steatosis or neutrophil infiltration.
Effect on permeability
Tributyrin led to increased expression of TJ proteins zonula occludens (ZO‐1), occludin and claudin in intestinal sections compared with the group that only received ethanol. This model inflicted minimal damage to the intestinal mucosa.
Jiang et al. 28
Model
The SCFA‐producing probiotic P. pentosaceus was tested in a chronic alcohol model (alcohol containing diet for 10 days).
Effect on liver
P. pentosaceus alleviated ethanol induced inflammation, attenuated steatosis, and decreased hepatic triglycerides. It also significantly correlated with reduced levels of plasma ALT, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and hepatic neutrophil infiltration. Pro‐inflammatory cytokines in plasma significantly decreased in the probiotic group (interleukin [IL]‐5, TNFα, TLR4, macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]‐1α, monocyte chemoattractant protein [MCP]‐1, Granulocyte‐Colony Stimulating Factor [G‐CSF]).
Effect on permeability
P. pentosaceus treatment increased ZO‐1 mRNA and mucin mRNA expression (MUC‐1, MUC‐2, and MUC‐4) compared with both the alcohol only group and control group. The probiotic group also demonstrated decreased plasma lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP; a marker of endotoxemia and surrogate for permeability) compared with the alcohol group.
Effect of short chain fatty acids on permeability and liver injury in animal non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis models
Eight studies assessed the impact of SCFA supplementation in varying models of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/NASH. 13 , 17 , 20 , 22 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 29 Six studies supplemented sodium butyrate (NaB) orally, and another study supplemented MIYAIRI 588, a butyrate‐producing probiotic. One study supplemented sodium butyrate in one experimental group and a butyrate‐producing probiotic ( Clostridium butyricum ) in another.
Endo et al. 13
Model
Rats were fed a choline deficient amino acid (CDAA) diet for 2 weeks to induce steatosis, and then supplemented with MIYAIRI 588 (a probiotic containing C. butyricum ) for up to 50 weeks.
Effect on liver
Rats supplemented with probiotics demonstrated improved markers of liver inflammation, oxidative stress and intestinal integrity compared with controls. Probiotic supplemented rats also demonstrated decreased levels of 4‐hydroxynonenal (4‐HNE) and malondialdehyde (markers of oxidative stress), significantly improved ALT levels, hepatic levels of TNFα, nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) and improved intestinal expression of ZO‐1 and occludin levels compared with controls. MIYAIRI 588 treated rats had greater expression of nuclear factor‐erythroid factor 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcriptional activator that induces expression of many cytoprotective genes against oxidative damage.
Effect on permeability
Probiotic supplemented rats demonstrated suppressed portal venous endotoxemia and improved intestinal expression of ZO‐1 and occludin levels compared with controls.
Jin et al. 17
Model
Mice were fed a control and western standard diet (WSD) with or without NaB supplementation for 6 weeks.
Effect on liver
ALT levels did not differ among the groups. NaB supplemented mice had reduced steatosis, inflammatory foci, neutrophils and infiltrating immune cells in liver specimens compared with mice on the WSD. NaB supplementation in WSD groups led to significantly lower levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and 4‐HNE. NaB‐treated mice had lower levels of TLR4 mRNA and MyD88 in liver sections compared with controls.
Effect on permeability
NaB supplementation did not increase expression of ZO‐1 and occludin in the duodenum of mice fed the WSD.
Matheus et al. 20
Model
Mice were fed a high fat diet for 60 days with or without NaB supplementation throughout.
Effect on liver
NaB supplementation led to a significant decrease in hepatic steatosis.
Effect on permeability
Increased expression of tight junction protein claudin‐1 and decreased intestinal permeability as measured by FITC dextran test.
Zhou et al. 22
Model
Mice were fed a standard diet, a high fat diet or a high fat diet with NaB for 16 weeks.
Effect on liver
NaB supplementation ameliorated rises in ALT and AST. NaB‐treated mice had lower levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (MCP‐1, TNFα, IL‐1, IL‐2, IL‐6, interferon [IFN]‐γ, TLR4, and MyD88) in liver sections compared with the high fat diet group.
Effect on permeability
NaB supplementation increased expression of small intestinal ZO‐1. Reduced intestinal villus height was ameliorated by NaB supplementation. Plasma and liver endotoxin also decreased in the NaB compared with the high fat diet group.
Peng et al. 25
Model
Mice were fed a high fat diet and supplemented with traditional Chinese medicine geniposide/chlorogenic acid (GC) or NaB for 12 weeks, alongside a control. GC is theorized to modulate the gut microbiota to treat NAFLD.
Effect on liver
NaB supplementation was associated with reductions in plasma ALT and hepatic triglycerides.
Effect on permeability
Liver tissue LBP, plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and plasma D‐Lactate (markers of endotoxemia and increased permeability) were lower in the NaB group. NaB restored expression of ZO‐1 and occludin in the intestine indicating improved intestinal integrity.
Ye et al. 26
Model
A methionine choline deficient (MCD) diet was used to induce NASH in mice with or without NaB supplementation for 6 weeks.
Effect on liver
NaB supplementation was associated with reduced liver fibrosis and steatosis and decreased levels of plasma AST and ALT compared with controls. IL‐4 and IL‐10 were up‐regulated in the NaB group.
Effect on permeability
NaB supplementation increased Claudin‐1 and ZO‐1 mRNA expression and reduced plasma LPS compared with mice fed the MCD diet alone.
Baumann et al. 27
Model
Mice were fed a fat, fructose and cholesterol (FFC) diet to induce steatosis (or control diet). After 8 weeks, the animals were either sustained on this or supplemented with NaB for 5 weeks.
Effect on liver
NaB supplementation had no significant effect on ALT and AST. NaB treatment in the FFC fed group decreased liver inflammation on histology evidenced by lower NAFLD Activity Score and decreased number of infiltrating immune cells. Liver TNFα, IL‐6, iNOS, and 4‐HNE was similar in NaB supplemented mice and controls.
Effect on permeability
Histological ZO‐1, occludin, and portal endotoxemia were not significantly different compared with mice fed the FFC diet alone.
Yang et al. 29
Model
Diabetic mice (C57BLKS/J) were fed a normal diet for 6 weeks, with one group supplemented with NaB, a second with C. butyricum and a third control.
Effect on liver
NaB and C. butyricum supplementation was associated with decreased AST, ALT, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lower systemic inflammatory markers (IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNFα). TLR4, Myd88, and NF‐κB in liver sections were significantly down‐regulated in mice treated with either intervention.
Effect on permeability
Both interventions restored TJ proteins (ZO‐1 and occludin), decreased plasma LPS, and improved intestinal histological appearances.
Effect of short chain fatty acids on permeability and liver injury in other murine models
The remaining eligible studies investigated animal models of autoimmune hepatitis (two studies), ischemia reperfusion injury (one study), and toxin induced acute liver failure (one study). 15 , 16 , 21 , 23 The SCFA supplementation was either orally, intravenously or through a high fiber diet.
Lui et al. 15
Model
Ischemia reperfusion injury was induced in rats by 30‐min tourniquet of the portal triad. The treatment group was given intravenous NaB pre‐operatively.
Effect on liver
NaB pre‐treatment decreased plasma AST, ALT, intrahepatic TNFα, IL‐6, and TLR4 expression, macrophage activation and neutrophil infiltration.
Effect on permeability
NaB attenuated intestinal injury, prevented ultrastructural alterations of tight junctions, and improved expression of ZO‐1.
Yang et al. 16
Model
Acute on chronic toxin‐induced liver injury was induced with 14 weeks of human plasma albumin injection followed by acute intraperitoneal injection of endotoxins (D‐Gal and LPS). Intervention groups received intravenous NaB at either 12‐ or 24‐h post induction of acute liver injury.
Effect on liver
NaB treated groups had less cellular necrosis compared with the control group. Rises in plasma ALT, AST, total bilirubin, TNFα, IFN‐γ, and HMGB1 were ameliorated in both intervention groups compared with controls.
Effect on permeability
Intestinal permeability (measured using everted gut sac method) and intestinal damage was reduced with NaB treatment. NaB groups demonstrated significantly lower plasma endotoxin levels than controls.
Wu et al. 21
Model
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) was induced through intra‐peritoneal injection of Freud's adjuvant on days 1 and 8. The treatment group was supplemented by daily gavage of NaB for 3 weeks.
Effect on liver
NaB treatment attenuated rises in plasma ALT and AST as well as liver IL‐6, TNFα, TLR4, and MyD88 compared with controls. NaB treatment ameliorated lymphocyte infiltration and hepatocyte lesions.
Effect on permeability
NaB increased expression of the ZO‐1, occludin, and claudin‐1 and reduced intestinal villus disruption and Escherichia coli protein in the liver compared with controls.
Hu et al. 23
Model
Autoimmune hepatitis was induced with intraperitoneal injections of Freud's adjuvant and S100 antigen in mice fed a standard diet, high fiber diet, or diet supplemented with NaB for 4 weeks.
Effect on liver
The high fiber diet and NaB reduced plasma ALT, AST, IL‐17A, and IL‐6 and ameliorated the increased ratio of Th17 cells to Treg cells compared with controls.
Effect on permeability
Both interventions decreased expression of occludin, claudin‐1, and ZO‐1 in intestinal sections, decreased intestinal tract lesions, and restored villus height to crypt depth ratios. NaB and high fiber diet interventions also resulted in decreased E. coli protein in the liver compared with controls.
Effect of short chain fatty acids on permeability and liver injury in human models
Two papers using human models were identified. 18 , 24
Krawczyk et al. 24
Model
A retrospective analysis of a selection of patients from the larger Nutrient‐Induced Insulin Output Ratio (NIOR) study. 30 The NIOR study randomized patients with NAFLD to one of three dietary strategies with compliance measured through questionnaires and self‐reporting at 1, 2, and 6 months. All three strategies mandated a high insoluble fiber intake (29.24 g ± 10.97 g/day), higher than the average estimated for the population (19 g/day). Fifty‐six patients were excluded for non‐compliance and from the remaining 110 and 32 were randomly selected for analysis at 6 months.
Plasma ZO‐1 was measured as a surrogate marker of intestinal permeability. Liver injury was measured using laboratory liver enzyme measurements (ALT/AST/gamma‐glutamyl transferase [GGT]) and ultrasound calculation of the Hamaguchi score for liver steatosis. 31 Diet was self‐reported using short (72 h) food diaries completed prior to follow‐up.
Effect on liver
The dietary intervention led to significant amelioration of liver disease as measured by serum AST, ALT, and GGT and by Hamaguchi score.
Effect on permeability
Serum ZO‐1 levels were correlated with Hamaguchi score, AST, and ALT. Spearman's rank correlation found that fiber was the only dietary component significantly correlated with ZO‐1 levels.
Ferolla et al (2016) 18
A randomized unblinded trial of a synbiotic ( Lactobacillus reuteri with guar gum and inulin) with monthly dietary advice versus dietary advice alone (no placebo). Patients were required to have a diagnosis of NASH on biopsy, and the primary outcome was degree of steatosis on MRI. Secondary measures included serum ALT/AST/ALP/GGT/bilirubin/platelets, and permeability was assessed using serum LPS and urinary lactulose/mannitol excretion ratio.
Effect on liver
After 12 weeks, the intervention was associated with a significant reduction in steatosis and a lower proportion of patients with moderate/severe steatosis. The degree of fibrosis and serum transaminases was unchanged.
Effect on permeability
There was no difference between the groups in the measures of permeability, and LPS levels were found to be raised after 12 weeks regardless of the intervention.
Discussion
This systematic review identified 17 eligible studies evaluating the effect of interventions designed to increase intestinal SCFA concentration in liver disease. No two studies employed the same model, intervention or outcomes making meta‐analysis inappropriate. NaB delivered orally was the most commonly used intervention and expression of TJ proteins in intestinal tissue or serum the commonest marker of permeability. Liver injury was mostly determined by histology and liver biochemistry (ALT and AST). Liver injury is hypothesized to be in part a consequence of disrupted gut barrier function, with immune mediated liver damage caused by translocation of PAMPs into the portal circulation. Several studies therefore measured pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as TNF‐α and IL‐6 in liver tissue as a surrogate marker of barrier dysfunction‐induced liver damage. A full list of measures is provided in Tables S5 and S6.
The available evidence supports the hypothesis that SCFA supplementation in liver disease ameliorates liver injury through the maintenance of gut epithelial integrity. All of the included studies show significant differences between treatment and control groups. However, five studies demonstrated no benefit of SCFAs in multiple measures. 14 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 27
Baumann et al. found that plasma ALT/AST levels were not affected by NaB supplementation. 27 It is worth noting that their other measures of hepatic inflammation were ameliorated. Given that ALT/AST rises are often minimal in NASH this may be a poor measure of liver injury. They also found no improvement in markers of permeability (endotoxemia and TJ protein expression). The lack of TJ protein expression may be explained by the use of whole intestinal sections rather than epithelium, such that TJ proteins are relatively “diluted” in the analysis. The persistent endotoxemia may be explained by relatively low circulating levels of endotoxin in controls (0.4 EU/mL). Jin et al. 17 also found that NaB ameliorated liver injury but with no effect on TJ protein expression, although with some changes in markers of endotoxemia. Both of these studies used the shortest duration of treatment with SCFAs (5 and 6 weeks, respectively), which could also explain the lack of benefit.
In the first of the two studies by Cresci et al., 14 tributyrin supplementation did not reduce liver inflammation or TJ protein expression in the chronic alcohol consumption model. In contrast, their second study is more supportive of the hypothesis. They demonstrated improvement in TJ expression and hepatic inflammation although this was not completely ameliorated. 19 These differences are likely explained by the duration of alcohol consumption in the two models: the former was 25 days and the latter only 10. The shorter duration resulted in reduced liver injury and minimal intestinal mucosal injury.
The study by Ferolla et al. showed significant amelioration of liver injury with synbiotic treatment; however, it is not clear if this was due to the probiotic component or the SCFA precursor (inulin). Furthermore, they were not able to show any improvement in permeability. There are several possible explanations for this, including the lack of power, a relatively short intervention, and the lack of placebo. The authors also state doubts around their LPS assay as they are unable to explain the rise in levels among all groups (which equally may have been the result of the dietary advice which all groups received). A similar study by Malaguarnera et al. 32 used a synbiotic ( Bifidobacterium longum with fructo‐oligosaccharides) versus placebo model for a longer period, and demonstrated both reduction in liver injury (on repeat biopsy and standard liver biochemistry) and in permeability measured by serum endotoxemia. Although not explicitly using SCFAs (and therefore not eligible for inclusion in this review), the fructo‐oligosaccharides may have played a similar role to inulin in this study. 33 A longer period of intervention and the use of placebo may have strengthened the findings of Ferolla et al.
The gut‐liver axis has been identified as an important area for further research and as a target for therapy of liver disease. 34 One potential strategy involves modulating the gut microbiome to promote intestinal barrier integrity. This has already been tested in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. Two studies have shown promising results with probiotic therapy, significantly reducing venous ammonia levels and improving encephalopathy. 35 , 36 Another approach has investigated fecal microbiota transplant, with a phase 2 study demonstrating safety in the settings of decompensated cirrhosis and alcohol misuse. 37 , 38 The latter trial also documented improvement in gut microbial dysbiosis with an increase in SCFA‐producing bacteria and increased serum SCFA after transplantation. 38
This review is limited by the lack of meta‐analysis. The 17 eligible studies reported the effects of 7 different SCFA preparations/interventions in 15 different animal models and 1 human disease model (NASH). Furthermore, as the majority used animal models, several of the interventions (e.g. gavage) and measures (e.g. portal blood samples and everted gut sacs) are less applicable to human disease.
The majority of the studies used plasma ALT/AST levels as a marker of liver injury, but these can remain normal in some etiologies. Direct measurement of gut permeability is challenging, and there is no gold standard. 39 Intestinal epithelial structure can be assessed by electron microscopy, but this cannot measure functional alterations. Functional assessments such as measurement of radiolabeled tracers in the urine or by trans‐epithelial permeation of FITC‐dextran can provide accurate estimates of gut permeability. Indirect markers of permeability including serum levels of TJ proteins, endotoxin, and LBP may be influenced by other factors such as the presence of infection. Additionally, increased serum levels of TJ proteins may represent increased production rather than functional improvement. Krawczyk et al. hypothesize that ZO‐1 levels may have potential as a non‐invasive diagnostic marker for liver inflammation. The findings of Ram et al. that ZO‐1 was significantly elevated in HCC patients would support this. 40 Only two studies reported a functional assessment of gut permeability. 18 , 20
All studies were of low or average quality (Table 2). None of the studies were blinded and the majority of animal studies provided insufficient detail on sample size calculations, limitations, and statistical methods. The human studies were a retrospective subgroup analysis of a larger trial (limited by participant self‐report of diet), and an unblinded non‐placebo‐controlled trial lacking significant power.
In summary, this review has identified that there have been few studies investigating the effect of interventions to increase intestinal SCFA concentration in the context of liver disease. Studies were heterogeneous in population, intervention, design and outcome measures. Those that have been performed are of low or average quality and only 2 were in humans with liver disease. Fourteen of the 17 eligible studies demonstrated a positive effect of the intervention on both gut permeability and liver inflammation. This review demonstrates that strategies that increase intestinal SCFA concentration have biologically relevant effects in in vivo and in vitro models of liver disease. Future studies should examine the most effective methods to increase luminal SCFA concentrations, particularly in adults with liver disease. Furthermore, more work is needed to identify the most appropriate outcome measures in this population.
Supporting information
Table S1: The main findings of the identified studies.
Table S2: Risk of bias/quality assessment for murine model studies.
Table S3: Risk of bias/quality assessment for observational studies.
Table S4: Risk of bias/quality assessment for randomized trials.
Table S5: Markers of liver injury in the identified studies.
Table S6: Markers of intestinal permeability in the identified studies.
Pohl, K. , Moodley, P. , and Dhanda, A. (2022) The effect of increasing intestinal short‐chain fatty acid concentration on gut permeability and liver injury in the context of liver disease: A systematic review. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 37: 1498–1506. 10.1111/jgh.15899.
Declaration of conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Author contribution: Conceptualization: Keith Pohl and Ashwin Dhanda. Data curation: Keith Pohl and Prebashan Moodley. Formal analysis: Keith Pohl and Prebashan Moodley. Investigation: Keith Pohl and Prebashan Moodley. Methodology: Keith Pohl and Ashwin Dhanda. Project administration: Keith Pohl. Supervision: Ashwin Dhanda. Writing ‐ original draft: Keith Pohl and Prebashan Moodley. Writing ‐ review & editing: Ashwin Dhanda. All authors approve the final manuscript and authorship list. No professional medical writers were involved. All authors confirm that they had full access to the all study data and accept responsibility to submit for publication.
Financial support: No specific financial or non‐financial support was received.
Guarantor of the article: Keith Pohl.
Registration and protocol: Registered on the PROSPERO database (ID: CRD42021248521). No amendments were made after registration. Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=248521.
Data availability statement
Extracted data available with publication upon reasonable request to the corresponding author.
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Associated Data
This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.
Supplementary Materials
Table S1: The main findings of the identified studies.
Table S2: Risk of bias/quality assessment for murine model studies.
Table S3: Risk of bias/quality assessment for observational studies.
Table S4: Risk of bias/quality assessment for randomized trials.
Table S5: Markers of liver injury in the identified studies.
Table S6: Markers of intestinal permeability in the identified studies.
Data Availability Statement
Extracted data available with publication upon reasonable request to the corresponding author.