Review article: the role of butyrate on colonic function.
BACKGROUND
Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, is a main end-product of intestinal microbial fermentation of mainly dietary fibre. Butyrate is an important energy source for intestinal epithelial cells and plays a role in the maintenance of colonic homeostasis.


OBJECTIVE
To provide an overview on the present knowledge of the bioactivity of butyrate, emphasizing effects and possible mechanisms of action in relation to human colonic function.


METHODS
A PubMed search was performed to select relevant publications using the search terms: 'butyrate, short-chain fatty acid, fibre, colon, inflammation, carcinogenesis, barrier, oxidative stress, permeability and satiety'.


RESULTS
Butyrate exerts potent effects on a variety of colonic mucosal functions such as inhibition of inflammation and carcinogenesis, reinforcing various components of the colonic defence barrier and decreasing oxidative stress. In addition, butyrate may promote satiety. Two important mechanisms include the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B activation and histone deacetylation. However, the observed effects of butyrate largely depend on concentrations and models used and human data are still limited.


CONCLUSIONS
Although most studies point towards beneficial effects of butyrate, more human in vivo studies are needed to contribute to our current understanding of butyrate-mediated effects on colonic function in health and disease.
Hamer
H M
HM
TI Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands. h.hamer@intmed.unimaas.nl
Jonkers
D
D
Venema
K
K
Vanhoutvin
S
S
Troost
F J
FJ
Brummer
R-J
RJ
D000818:Animals; D002087:Butyrates / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000378:metabolism; D004733:Enema; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D012527:Satiation / Q000187:drug effects
D002087:Butyrates; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile