Short-chain fatty acids are associated with adiposity, energy and glucose homeostasis among different metabolic phenotypes in the Nutritionists’ Health Study

• DOI: 10.1007/s12020-023-03356-0
• Publication Date: 2023-04-08T11:03:01Z
• Authors: Isabela Solar; Francieli Barreir...; Marina Gomes Barbosa; Renata Germano Bo...; Alfredo Shigueo H...; Camila de Oliveir...; Marcella Ramos Sa...; Thamiris Candreva; Bianca de Almeida...; Andrea Tura; Dennys Esper Cintra; Bruno Geloneze; Sandra Roberta Go...; Ana Carolina Junq...
• Keywords: Metabolic Syndrome; 2. Zero hunger; 0301 basic medicine; Overweight; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Body Mass Index; 03 medical and health sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Phenotype; Glucose; Humans; Homeostasis; Female; Nutritionists; Obesity; Propionates; Adiposity

Abstract Purpose: The gut microbiome is associated with obesity, mainly mediated by bacteria-produced short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). It is unknown how SCFA concentrations are associated among the phenotypes metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUNW), metabolically healthy obese/overweight (MHO), and metabolically unhealthy obese/overweight (MUO). We compared plasma and fecal SCFA concentrations among adult women categorized according to the metabolic phenotypes mentioned above and examined associations between SCFA and adiposity and components of energy and glucose homeostasis. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 111 participants. Body composition was assessed by DEXA. Energy and glycemic homeostasis were assessed by the standard mixed-meal tolerance test coupled with indirect calorimetry. SCFAs were quantified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Results: Only plasma propionate was increased in the MHNW phenotype compared to the MHO and MUO phenotypes [p<0.05]. Fecal propionate and butyrate concentrations and plasma propionate concentrations were inversely associated with total and visceral adiposity [p<0.05]. Fecal and plasma SCFA concentrations were associated with reduced glucose, insulin, and HbA1c levels, increased fasting and postprandial GLP-1 levels and more preserved beta-cell function [p<0.05]. Fecal and plasma SCFA concentrations were positively correlated with resting energy expenditure and lipid oxidation rate and inversely correlated with oxidation rate of carbohydrates [p<0.05]. Conclusion: These findings reinforce the concept that fecal and plasma SCFA concentrations are linked to specific components of energy and glucose homeostasis and body adiposity. On the other hand, it was not possible to discriminate the different metabolic phenotypes of adiposity based on the determination of fecal SCFA concentration.