Fecal Short Chain Fatty Acids in Children Living on Farms and a Link Between Valeric Acid and Protection from Eczema

Overview

Journal Sci Rep

Specialty Science

Date 2021 Jan 1

PMID 33384449

Citations 32

Authors

Monica Gio-Batta

Fei Sjoberg

Karin Jonsson

Malin Barman

Anna-Carin Lundell

Ingegerd Adlerberth

Bill Hesselmar

Ann-Sofie Sandberg

Agnes E Wold

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Children growing up on farms have low rates of allergy, but the mechanism for this protective effect has not been fully elucidated. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by the gut microbiota may play a role in protection from allergy. We measured fecal SCFA levels in samples collected from 28 farming and 37 control children over the first 3 years of life using gas chromatography. Data on diet and other host factors were recorded and allergy was diagnosed at 8 years of age. Among all children, median propionic and butyric acid concentration increased over the first 3 years, and longer SCFAs typically appeared by 1 year of age. Farm children had higher levels of iso-butyric, iso-valeric and valeric acid at 3 years of age than rural controls. In addition, children with elder siblings had higher levels of valeric acid at 3 years of age, and dietary factors also affected SCFA pattern. High levels of valeric acid at 3 years of age were associated with low rate of eczema at 8 years of age. The fecal SCFA pattern in farm children suggests a more rapid maturation of the gut microbiota. Valeric acid or associated microbes may have protective potential against eczema.

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