Observational studyBMC pulmonary medicine2026
Plasma short-chain fatty acids are associated with COPD and COPD phenotypes.
Observational study in BMC pulmonary medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- The role of the gut-lung axis in persistent inflammation and disease progression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: mechanistic evidence and therapeutic implications.Frontiers in immunology · 2026Review
- Butyrate Regulating Inflammatory Responses in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease via the Gut-Lung Axis.International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND
aimShort-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are metabolites largely produced by the gut microbiota, except for formate, which is also produced by the host. SCFAs may influence COPD development by modulating the immune system. This study examined the relationships between circulating SCFA concentrations and COPD and COPD phenotypes.
methodsWe report findings from a single-centre observational study with 130 patients with COPD and 103 controls. Eight SCFAs (formate, acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, isovalerate and α-methylbutyrate) were quantified in plasma using isotope-labelled gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Associations between SCFAs, COPD status, and COPD phenotypes (severely obstructive COPD, emphysema, eosinophilic COPD, frequent exacerbations, and symptom burden) were evaluated using multivariable regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, smoking, and body composition.
resultsPlasma formate concentrations were inversely associated with COPD status (adjusted OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.15 to 0.66; p = 0.004). Propionate and isobutyrate concentrations were inversely associated with severely obstructive COPD (adjusted ORs 0.46; 95% CI 0.24 to 0.86; p = 0.018, and 0.33; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.75; p = 0.012, respectively). Propionate concentrations were also inversely associated with frequent exacerbations of COPD (adjusted OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.07 to 0.62; p = 0.007). Isovalerate was positively associated with symptom burden (CAT score) (estimate 1.76; 95% CI 0.20 to 3.32; p = 0.027). No consistent associations were observed for emphysema or eosinophilic COPD.
conclusionsSCFA formate was inversely related to COPD. Several SCFAs were associated with specific COPD phenotypes. Future studies should investigate the underlying mechanisms linking SCFAs to COPD and include the often-overlooked formate, while acknowledging formate's dual origin.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.