Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40478560›Full record

ArticleInvestigative ophthalmology & visual science2025

Short-Chain Fatty Acids Are Potential Biomarkers of Immune Regulation in Diabetic Retinopathy.

Xinran Qin, Jiaqi Sun, Yi Xu, Lina Lu, Yingyan Ma, Fangzhou Lou, Haidong Zou

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Investigative ophthalmology & visual science, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Xinran QinDepartment of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Jiaqi SunDepartment of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Yi XuShanghai Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Center/Shanghai Eye Hospital, Shanghai, China.
Lina LuShanghai Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Center/Shanghai Eye Hospital, Shanghai, China.
Yingyan MaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Fangzhou LouDepartment of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Haidong ZouDepartment of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Purpose: Gut microbiota is involved in the pathophysiology of diabetes and its complications, yet the mechanistic link of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by gut microbes in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains unclear. The objective of the current study was to investigate the involvement of SCFAs in the development of DR. Methods: We collected blood samples from 165 participants with diabetes mellitus and quantified plasma SCFAs using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Additionally, we explored proteomic profiles reflecting host responses to circulating SCFAs using the Olink platform. Using a streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse model, we evaluated retinal morphological, pathological, and epigenetic changes following a 16-week acetate supplementation. Results: Our data showed that the circulating SCFA profiles of patients with DR significantly differed from those of non-DR controls. Lower levels of acetic, butyric, iso-butyric, and iso-valeric acids were strongly associated with DR risk. Proteomic analysis revealed immune dysregulation in patients with DR, with cytokine expression closely correlated with SCFA levels. In diabetic mice, acetate supplementation improved intestinal barrier function, alleviated retinal thinning, and prevented vessel loss. Moreover, acetate decreased the frequency of CD45+ CD11b+ cells and F4/80+ CD206+ CD11c- cells, indicating a significant inhibition of the overactive immune system in the diabetic retina. Finally, we observed significant changes in retinal DNA methylation, including downregulation of key pathways like vascular endothelial growth factor and nuclear factor-kappa B. Conclusions: These findings reveal mechanistic and translationally relevant inter-relationships among the circulating SCFAs, immune regulation, and the development of DR.

Indexed as

Diabetic RetinopathyFatty Acids, VolatileAgedAnimalsBiomarkersDiabetes Mellitus, ExperimentalFemaleGas Chromatography-Mass SpectrometryGastrointestinal MicrobiomeHumansMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMiddle AgedProteomicsBiomarkersFatty Acids, Volatile

Identifiers

PMID40478560
PMCPMC12155666

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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 OpenQuestion graph.