Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

Role of microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids in cancer development and prevention

Rasoul Mirzaei; Azam Afaghi; Sajad Babakhani; Masoudreza Sohrabi; Seyed Reza Hosseini‐Fard; Kiandokht Babolhavaeji; Shabnam Khani Ali Akbari; Rasoul Yousefimashouf; Sajad Karampoor

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy · 2021

Read source ↗ All evidence

Summary

Following cancer, cells in a particular tissue can no longer respond to the factors involved in controlling cell survival, differentiation, proliferation, and death. In recent years, it has been indicated that alterations in the gut microbiota components, intestinal epithelium, and host immune system are associated with cancer incidence. Also, it has been demonstrated that the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) generated by gut microbiota are vitally crucial in cell homeostasis as they contribute to the modulation of histone deacetylases (HDACs), resulting effected cell attachment, immune cell immigration, cytokine production, chemotaxis, and the programmed cell death. Therefore, the manipulation of SCFA levels in the intestinal tract by alterations in the microbiota structure can be potentia

Regional applicability

The findings are applicable to cancer prevention and treatment strategies in the United Kingdom, as they address mechanistic relationships between gut microbiota composition and cancer risk that are relevant to nutritional and therapeutic interventions. However, the review is not geographically anchored and does not address UK-specific epidemiology or healthcare policy implementation.

Key measures

Short-chain fatty acid levels and their mechanistic effects on histone deacetylase activity, immune cell function, cytokine production, cell attachment, chemotaxis, and programmed cell death

Outcomes reported

The study reviewed the role of microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (butyrate, propionate, acetate) in cancer incidence, development, and potential prevention across eight cancer types (bladder, colon, breast, stomach, liver, lung, pancreas, prostate). It examined mechanisms whereby SCFAs modulate histone deacetylases, immune function, and cell homeostasis.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Gut microbiome & human health
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
System type
Other
DOI
10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111619
Catalogue ID
NRmsehonqi-005

Topic tags

Pulse AI · ask about this record

Dig deeper with Pulse AI.

Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.