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OBJECTIVE: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) play a role in modulating glucose metabolism and are influenced by diet. Alterations in the SCFA-producing microbial ecosystem in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) may contribute to impaired glycaemic control. This study investigated the relationships between serum SCFA levels, blood glucose control, and dietary habits in adults with T1D. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: The study was conducted at the diabetes outpatient clinic of Federico II University Teaching Hospital, Naples, Italy. POPULATION: The study included 198 adults with T1D (100 men and 98 women), aged 18-79 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum SCFA levels, blood glucose control, assessed by glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics, and dietary intake from a 7-day food record. RESULTS: SCFA levels showed significant sex-specific differences (p180 mg/dL) (32.2±12.6% vs 41.2±17.2%, low tertile; p=0.011) and improved glucose management indicator (7.1±0.6% vs 7.5±0.6%, low tertile; p=0.027). Regarding eating habits, higher acetate tertiles were associated with higher intakes of total fat (p=0.041), polyunsaturated fatty acids (p=0.049) and monounsaturated fatty acids (p=0.021) in men only. CONCLUSION: These findings reveal a sex-specific association between serum propionate levels and blood glucose control in women with T1D. Importantly, this relationship appears independent of dietary factors. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05936242.
Abuqwider et al. (Sat,) studied this question.