Multidimensional Mechanism and Clinical Prospect of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Digestive Tract Diseases

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are important metabolites produced by intestinal microorganisms through fermentation of dietary fiber, which play an important role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis, regulating immune function and metabolism. Studies have shown that SCFAs play an important role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), and colon cancer (CRC) by enhancing the intestinal barrier, inhibiting inflammation, regulating microbiota composition, and regulating energy metabolismand other digestive tract diseases. Clinical studies have preliminarily validated the therapeutic potential of SCFAs, and common supplementation methods include probiotics in combination with prebiotics, butyric acid enema, and fecal transplantation. Although its application faces challenges such as individual microbiota differences and insufficient persistence, SCFAs, as mediators of microbiome regulation, show broad prospects in the treatment of digestive tract diseases. Future research needs to optimize the delivery system of SCFAs, explore individualized treatment strategies based on multi-omics technology, and conduct large-scale randomized controlled trials to verify their long-term efficacy and safety.