RT Journal Article
T1 The Role of Butyrate in People with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Related Metabolic Comorbidities: A Systematic Review
A1 González-González, Alicia
A1 Soria-Utrilla, Virginia
A1 Fontalba-Romero, María Isabel
A1 Núñez-Sánchez, María Ángeles
A1 Adarve-Castro, Antonio
A1 Queipo-Ortuño, María Isabel
A1 Ramos-Molina, Bruno
A1 Martínez-Montoro, José Ignacio
A1 José Carlos Fernández-García, 
A1 Fernández-García, José Carlos
K1 Metabolismo - Alteraciones
K1 Bacterias - Metabolismo
AB BackgroundMetabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide and is strongly linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Growing evidence highlights the role of the gut–liver axis, particularly microbial metabolites such as the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) butyrate, in MASLD pathophysiology. However, clinical data on butyrate levels and the abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria in MASLD patients remain inconsistent.ObjectivesTo systematically synthesize human evidence evaluating the associations between butyrate levels and butyrate-producing gut bacteria with MASLD presence and severity, as well as related metabolic comorbidities.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Embase from inception to April 7, 2025, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines (PROSPERO registration CRD420251162439). Eligible studies included observational human research assessing fecal or plasma SCFA concentrations and/or the abundance of butyrate-producing taxa in adults with MASLD and related metabolic disorders. Study quality was appraised using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, and results were narratively synthesized due to heterogeneity across methods and outcomes.ResultsFrom 233 records, seven studies met inclusion criteria (2020–2025; n = 1,185). Most were cross-sectional or case–control designs of moderate to high quality (NOS 6–8/9). Individuals with MASLD generally exhibited lower fecal or serum butyrate concentrations and reduced abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Eubacterium, and other butyrate-producing bacteria versus controls. These alterations were associated with hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, inflammation, and adverse metabolic profiles - higher BMI, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. Geographic and sex-related differences were also reported.ConclusionsThis systematic review suggests that reduced butyrate availability and alterations in butyrate-producing gut taxa are associated with MASLD presence and severity and with adverse metabolic traits. However, substantial methodological heterogeneity and the observational design of available studies preclude causal inference. Larger, well-phenotyped, multicentre studies using standardized SCFA quantification, dietary and medication ascertainment, and functional microbiome profiling are needed to validate these findings and clarify their diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
PB Springer
YR 2026
FD 2026-04-04
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/45953
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/45953
LA eng
NO González-González, A., Soria-Utrilla, V., Fontalba-Romero, M.I. et al. The Role of Butyrate in People with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Related Metabolic Comorbidities: A Systematic Review. Curr Obes Rep 15, 17 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-026-00694-8
NO Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBUA
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 20 mar 2026