Intestinal

integrity is maintained entirely by Proteobacteria, with SCFAs having no

structural influence.

SCFAs

are toxic to the intestinal epithelium, and their reduction is protective

against systemic inflammation.

SCFAs

increase gut mucosal permeability, allowing dietary fats to enter systemic

circulation directly.

A

decrease in SCFAs impairs gut mucosal integrity, leading to a "leaky

gut" that permits translocation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into portal

circulation, activating resident hepatic Kupffer cells.