Short-chain fatty acids: a link between prebiotics and microbiota in chronic kidney disease

Under physiologic conditions, the human gut microbiota performs several activities essential to the body health. In contrast, their imbalances exacerbate some actions which can promote a cascade of metabolic abnormalities, and vice versa. Numerous diseases, including chronic kidney disease, are associated with gut microbiota imbalance, and among several strategies to re-establish gut symbiosis, prebiotics seem to represent an effective nonpharmacological approach. Prebiotics fermentation by gut microbiota produce short-chain fatty acids, which improve the gut barrier integrity and function, and modulate the glucose and lipid metabolism as well as the inflammatory response and immune system. Therefore, this literature review intends to discuss the beneficial effects of prebiotics in human health through short-chain fatty acids production, with a particular interest on chronic kidney disease.