Fecal short chain fatty acids in children living on farms and a link between valeric acid and protection from eczema
Journal article, 2020

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.

Author

Monica Gio-Batta

University of Gothenburg

F. Sjoberg

University of Gothenburg

Karin Jonsson

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Food and Nutrition Science

Malin Barman

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Food and Nutrition Science

Karolinska Institutet

Anna Carin Lundell

University of Gothenburg

Ingegerd Adlerberth

University of Gothenburg

Bill Hesselmar

University of Gothenburg

Ann-Sofie Sandberg

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Food and Nutrition Science

Agnes E Wold

University of Gothenburg

Scientific Reports

2045-2322 (ISSN) 20452322 (eISSN)

Vol. 10 1 22449

Early life nutrition and immune development with focus on allergy prevention

Swedish Research Council (VR) (2013-3154), 2014-01-01 -- 2018-12-31.

Subject Categories

Pediatrics

Environmental Health and Occupational Health

Nutrition and Dietetics

DOI

10.1038/s41598-020-79737-6

PubMed

33384449

More information

Latest update

11/4/2021