Butyrate: A Double-Edged Sword for Health?

Overview

Journal Adv Nutr

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Nutritional Sciences

Date 2018 Feb 14

PMID 29438462

Citations 410

Authors

Hu Liu

Ji Wang

Ting He

Sage Becker

Guolong Zhang

Defa Li

Xi Ma

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Butyrate, a four-carbon short-chain fatty acid, is produced through microbial fermentation of dietary fibers in the lower intestinal tract. Endogenous butyrate production, delivery, and absorption by colonocytes have been well documented. Butyrate exerts its functions by acting as a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor or signaling through several G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Recently, butyrate has received particular attention for its beneficial effects on intestinal homeostasis and energy metabolism. With anti-inflammatory properties, butyrate enhances intestinal barrier function and mucosal immunity. However, the role of butyrate in obesity remains controversial. Growing evidence has highlighted the impact of butyrate on the gut-brain axis. In this review, we summarize the present knowledge on the properties of butyrate, especially its potential effects and mechanisms involved in intestinal health and obesity.

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