Progress in understanding of relationship between short chain fatty acids and irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional intestinal disease whose pathogenesis has not yet been fully defined. The main clinical manifestations of IBS are irregular abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and changes in stool character and defecation habits. As one of the pathogeneses of IBS, intestinal flora imbalance plays an important role in the development of IBS. The vast majorities of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are produced through the interaction of intestinal flora with host diet in the colon. As one of the main metabolites of intestinal flora, SCFAs have the effects of intestinal barrier protection, immune regulation, anti-inflammation, and regulation of visceral sensitivity in the intestine. In recent years, with the increasing attention to SCFAs, studies on the relationship between SCFAs and IBS are emerging. This review summarizes the progress in the understanding of the relationship between SCFAs and IBS in recent five years.