We aimed to elucidate the dynamic changes in short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced by the gut microbiota following smoking exposure and their role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis. SCFA concentrations were measured in human plasma, comparing non-smokers (n = 6) and smokers (n = 12). Using a mouse COPD model induced by cigarette smoke exposure or elastase-induced emphysema, we modulated SCFA levels through dietary interventions and antibiotics to evaluate their effects on inflammation and alveolar destruction. Human smokers showed lower plasma SCFA concentrations than non-smokers, with plasma propionic acid positively correlating with forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity. Three-month smoking-exposed mice demonstrated altered gut microbiota and significantly reduced fecal SCFA concentrations compared to air-exposed controls. In these mice, a high-fiber diet increased fecal SCFAs and mitigated inflammation and alveolar destruction, while antibiotics decreased fecal SCFAs and exacerbated disease features. However, in the elastase-induced model, fecal SCFA concentration remained unchanged, and high-fiber diet or antibiotic interventions had no significant effect. These findings suggest that smoking exposure alters gut microbiota and SCFA production through its systemic effects. The anti-inflammatory properties of SCFAs may play a role in COPD pathogenesis, highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mucimm.2024.12.006DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

gut microbiota
16
scfa concentrations
12
short-chain fatty
8
fatty acids
8
smoking exposure
8
copd pathogenesis
8
inflammation alveolar
8
alveolar destruction
8
fecal scfa
8
high-fiber diet
8

Similar Publications

Association of trimethylamine N-oxide and metabolites with kidney function decline in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Clin Nutr

December 2024

Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, and School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Background: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a gut microbial metabolite derived from dietary l-carnitine and choline. High plasma TMAO levels are associated with cardiovascular disease and overall mortality, but little is known about the associations of TMAO and related metabolites with the risk of kidney function decline among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: We prospectively followed 152 nondialysis patients with CKD stages 3-5 and measured plasma TMAO and related metabolites (trimethylamine [TMA], choline, carnitine, and γ-butyrobetaine) via liquid chromatography‒mass spectrometry.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Whereas restoration of fecal consistency after treatment with clioquinol for chronic diarrhea and free fecal water syndrome has been attributed to its antiprotozoal properties, actions of clioquinol on the colonic bacterial microbiota have not been investigated.

Objectives: Characterize the dynamics of fecal microbial diversity before, during, and after PO administration of clioquinol to healthy horses.

Study Design: Experimental prospective cohort study using a single horse group.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Obesity is associated with changes in the gut microbiota, as well as with increased permeability of the intestinal wall. In 130 non-obese volunteers, 57 patients with metabolically healthy obesity (MHO), and 76 patients with metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO), bacterial DNA was isolated from stool samples, and the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced. The metabolic profile of the microbiota predicted by PICRUSt2 (https://huttenhower.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The gut microbiota is a crucial link between diet and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Using fecal metaproteomics, a method that concurrently captures human gut and microbiome proteins, we determined the crosstalk between gut microbiome, diet, gut health, and CVD. Traditional CVD risk factors (age, BMI, sex, blood pressure) explained < 10% of the proteome variance.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Screening and identification of antimicrobial peptides from the gut microbiome of cockroach Blattella germanica.

Microbiome

December 2024

MOE Key Laboratory of Bio-Intelligent Manufacturing, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning, 116024, China.

Article Synopsis
  • * Researchers identified and validated an AMP, named AMP1, which has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and minimal toxicity to human cells, showing potential as a safer alternative to traditional antibiotics.
  • * The study emphasizes the effective screening of natural AMPs and highlights AMP1's ability to affect bacterial cell wall synthesis and promote wound healing, suggesting it could be a viable option for clinical use.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!