title: Potential beneficial effects of butyrate in intestinal and extraintestinal diseases.
abstract: The multiple beneficial effects on human health of the short-chain fatty acid butyrate, synthesized from non-absorbed carbohydrate by colonic microbiota, are well documented. At the intestinal level, butyrate plays a regulatory role on the transepithelial fluid transport, ameliorates mucosal inflammation and oxidative status, reinforces the epithelial defense barrier, and modulates visceral sensitivity and intestinal motility. In addition, a growing number of studies have stressed the role of butyrate in the prevention and inhibition of colorectal cancer. At the extraintestinal level, butyrate exerts potentially useful effects on many conditions, including hemoglobinopathies, genetic metabolic diseases, hypercholesterolemia, insulin resistance, and ischemic stroke. The mechanisms of action of butyrate are different; many of these are related to its potent regulatory effects on gene expression. These data suggest a wide spectrum of positive effects exerted by butyrate, with a high potential for a therapeutic use in human medicine.
authors.forename: Roberto Berni
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Canani
authors.forename: Margherita Di
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Costanzo
authors.forename: Ludovica
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pedata
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meli
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calignano
mesh_terms: D002087:Butyrates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002087:Butyrates; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents