Title: Targeted metabolomics reveals plasma short-chain fatty acids are associated with
metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
Version: 0 Date: 28 Nov 2023
Reviewer's report:
Research on how gut dysbiosis results in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
(MASLD) is important to understanding liver disease formation.  Thing et al. have demonstrated
that plasma short-chain fatty acids levels are altered in patients with MASLD compared to
healthy individuals.  The authors do a good job of statistical analysis of their data to support
their conclusions.  However, there are a few needed revisions to their paper:
1. Was the length of fasting controlled?  The paper suggests at least 4 hours of fasting was
used prior to collection of blood samples.  Short-chain fatty acid levels will be altered with the
length of fasting as discussed by Mousavi et al. (2022) Effects of Ramadan and non-Ramadan
intermittent fasting on gut microbiome. Front Nutr. 9:860575 (PMID 35392284).  If fasting was
just at least 4 hours, determine whether the length of fasting is a confounding factor.  Some
mention of whether fasting influenced the results should be addressed in the paper.
2. Was any diet prior to the blood collection controlled?  There was no mention whether the diet
was controlled.  Some mention of whether diet prior to blood collection influenced the SCFA
levels should be addressed in the paper.
3. Was medications controlled or evaluated for their effect on the study results?  For example,
if patients or controls used antibiotics, laxatives, proton-pump inhibitors, or metformin, these
influence gut microbiome composition and function.  See paper by Weersma, Zhernakova and
Fu, Interactions between drugs and the gut microbiome.  Gut 69:1510-1519, 2020.  Some
mention of whether medication consumption influenced the results should be addressed in the
paper.
4. Was recent consumption of prebiotics or probiotics controlled prior to blood collection.  This
also should be addressed in the paper.
Title: Targeted metabolomics reveals plasma short-chain fatty acids are associated with
metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
Version: 0 Date: 28 Nov 2023
Reviewer's report:
Research on how gut dysbiosis results in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
(MASLD) is important to understanding liver disease formation.  Thing et al. have demonstrated
that plasma short-chain fatty acids levels are altered in patients with MASLD compared to
healthy individuals.  The authors do a good job of statistical analysis of their data to support
their conclusions.  However, there are a few needed revisions to their paper:
1. Was the length of fasting controlled?  The paper suggests at least 4 hours of fasting was
used prior to collection of blood samples.  Short-chain fatty acid levels will be altered with the
length of fasting as discussed by Mousavi et al. (2022) Effects of Ramadan and non-Ramadan
intermittent fasting on gut microbiome. Front Nutr. 9:860575 (PMID 35392284).  If fasting was
just at least 4 hours, determine whether the length of fasting is a confounding factor.  Some
mention of whether fasting influenced the results should be addressed in the paper.
2. Was any diet prior to the blood collection controlled?  There was no mention whether the diet
was controlled.  Some mention of whether diet prior to blood collection influenced the SCFA
levels should be addressed in the paper.
3. Was medications controlled or evaluated for their effect on the study results?  For example,
if patients or controls used antibiotics, laxatives, proton-pump inhibitors, or metformin, these
influence gut microbiome composition and function.  See paper by Weersma, Zhernakova and
Fu, Interactions between drugs and the gut microbiome.  Gut 69:1510-1519, 2020.  Some
mention of whether medication consumption influenced the results should be addressed in the
paper.
4. Was recent consumption of prebiotics or probiotics controlled prior to blood collection.  This
also should be addressed in the paper.
Please review this paper.
user
Title: Targeted metabolomics reveals plasma short-chain fatty acids are associated with
metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
Version: 0 Date: 28 Nov 2023
Reviewer's report:
Research on how gut dysbiosis results in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
(MASLD) is important to understanding liver disease formation.  Thing et al. have demonstrated
that plasma short-chain fatty acids levels are altered in patients with MASLD compared to
healthy individuals.  The authors do a good job of statistical analysis of their data to support
their conclusions.  However, there are a few needed revisions to their paper:
1. Was the length of fasting controlled?  The paper suggests at least 4 hours of fasting was
used prior to collection of blood samples.  Short-chain fatty acid levels will be altered with the
length of fasting as discussed by Mousavi et al. (2022) Effects of Ramadan and non-Ramadan
intermittent fasting on gut microbiome. Front Nutr. 9:860575 (PMID 35392284).  If fasting was
just at least 4 hours, determine whether the length of fasting is a confounding factor.  Some
mention of whether fasting influenced the results should be addressed in the paper.
2. Was any diet prior to the blood collection controlled?  There was no mention whether the diet
was controlled.  Some mention of whether diet prior to blood collection influenced the SCFA
levels should be addressed in the paper.
3. Was medications controlled or evaluated for their effect on the study results?  For example,
if patients or controls used antibiotics, laxatives, proton-pump inhibitors, or metformin, these
influence gut microbiome composition and function.  See paper by Weersma, Zhernakova and
Fu, Interactions between drugs and the gut microbiome.  Gut 69:1510-1519, 2020.  Some
mention of whether medication consumption influenced the results should be addressed in the
paper.
4. Was recent consumption of prebiotics or probiotics controlled prior to blood collection.  This
also should be addressed in the paper.
assistant