Understanding activity of butyrate at a cellular level

Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid of four carbons in length that is a by-product produced by the microbial fermentation of dietary fiber and undigested carbohydrates within the colon.Over the years,butyrate has attracted significant attention due to its diverse roles within cells.

Dietary sodium acetate and sodium butyrate improve high-carbohydrate diet utilization by regulating gut microbiota, liver lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation in largemouth bass(Micropterus salmoides)

Background Adequate level of carbohydrates in aquafeeds help to conserve protein and reduce cost. However, studies have indicated that high-carbohydrate(HC) diet disrupt the homeostasis of the gut–liver axis in largemouth bass, resulting in decreased intestinal acetate and butyrate level.Method Herein, we had concepted a set of feeding experiment to assess the effects of dietary sodium acetate(SA) and sodium butyrate(SB) on liver health and the intestinal microbiota in largemouth bass fed an HC diet. The experimental design comprised 5 isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets, including LC(9% starch), HC(18% starch), HCSA(18% starch;2 g/kg SA), HCSB(18% starch;2 g/kg SB), and HCSASB(18% starch;1 g/kg SA + 1 g/kg SB). Juvenile largemouth bass with an initial body weight of 7.00 ± 0.20 g were fed on these diets for 56 d.Results We found that dietary SA and SB reduced hepatic triglyceride accumulation by activating autophagy(ATG101, LC3B and TFEB), promoting lipolysis(CPT1α, HSL and AMPKα), and inhibiting adipogenesis(FAS, ACCA, SCD1 and PPARγ). In addition, SA and SB decreased oxidative stress in the liver(CAT, GPX1α and SOD1) by activating the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway. Meanwhile, SA and SB alleviated HC-induced inflammation by downregulating the expression of pro-inflammatory factors(IL-1β, COX2 and Hepcidin1) through the NF-κB pathway. Importantly, SA and SB increased the abundance of bacteria that produced acetic acid and butyrate(Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1). Combined with the KEGG analysis, the results showed that SA and SB enriched carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid metabolism pathways, thereby improving the utilization of carbohydrates. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that growth performance was closely related to hepatic lipid deposition, autophagy, antioxidant capacity, inflammation, and intestinal microbial composition.Conclusions In conclusion, dietary SA and SB can reduce hepatic lipid deposition;and alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation in largemouth bass fed on HC diet. These beneficial effects may be due to the altered composition of the gut microbiota caused by SA and SB. The improvement effects of SB were stronger than those associated with SA.

Alginate oligosaccharide-mediated butyrate-HIF-1α axis improves skin aging in mice

The“gut-skin”axis has been proved and is considered as a novel therapy for the prevention of skin aging.The antioxidant efficacy of oligomannonic acid(MAOS)makes it an intriguing target for use to improve skin aging.The present study further explored whereby MAOS-mediated gut-skin axis balance prevented skin aging in mice.The data indicated the skin aging phenotypes,oxidative stress,skin mitochondrial dysfunction,and intestinal dysbiosis(especially the butyrate and HIF-1a levels decreased)in aging mice.Similarly,fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT)from aging mice rebuild the aging-like phenotypes.Further,we demonstrated MAOS-mediated colonic butyrate-HIF-1a axis homeostasis promoted the entry of butyrate into the skin,upregulated mitophagy level and ultimately improving skin aging via HDAC3/PHD/HIF-1a/mitophagy loop in skin of mice.Overall,our study offered a better insights of the effectiveness of alginate oligosaccharides(AOS),promised to become a personalized targeted therapeutic agents,on gut-skin axis disorder inducing skin aging.

Coated sodium butyrate ameliorates high‑energy and low‑protein diet induced hepatic dysfunction via modulating mitochondrial dynamics, autophagy and apoptosis in laying hens

Background Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome(FLHS),a fatty liver disease in laying hens,poses a grave threat to the layer industry,stemming from its ability to trigger an alarming plummet in egg production and usher in acute mortality among laying hens.Increasing evidence suggests that the onset and progression of fatty liver was closely related to mitochondria dysfunction.Sodium butyrate was demonstrated to modulate hepatic lipid metabolism,alle-viate oxidative stress and improve mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro and mice models.Nevertheless,there is limited existing research on coated sodium butyrate(CSB)to prevent FLHS in laying hens,and whether and how CSB exerts the anti-FLHS effect still needs to be explored.In this experiment,the FLHS model was induced by administering a high-energy low-protein(HELP)diet in laying hens.The objective was to investigate the effects of CSB on alleviating FLHS with a focus on the role of CSB in modulating mitochondrial function.Methods A total of 288 healthy 28-week-old Huafeng laying hens were arbitrarily allocated into 4 groups with 6 replicates each,namely,the CON group(normal diet),HELP group(HELP diet),CH500 group(500 mg/kg CSB added to HELP diet)and CH750 group(750 mg/kg CSB added to HELP diet).The duration of the trial encompassed a period of 10 weeks.Results The result revealed that CSB ameliorated the HELP-induced FLHS by improving hepatic steatosis and patho-logical damage,reducing the gene levels of fatty acid synthesis,and promoting the mRNA levels of key enzymes of fatty acid catabolism.CSB reduced oxidative stress induced by the HELP diet,upregulated the activity of GSH-Px and SOD,and decreased the content of MDA and ROS.CSB also mitigated the HELP diet-induced inflammatory response by blocking TNF-α,IL-1β,and F4/80.In addition,dietary CSB supplementation attenuated HELP-induced activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response(UPRmt),mitochondrial damage,and decline of ATPase activity.HELP diet decreased the autophagosome formation,and downregulated LC3B but upregulated p62 protein expression,which CSB administration reversed.CSB reduced HELP-induced apoptosis,as indicated by decreases in the Bax/Bcl-2,Caspase-9,Caspase-3,and Cyt C expression levels.Conclusions Dietary CSB could ameliorate HELP diet-induced hepatic dysfunction via modulating mitochondrial dynamics,autophagy,and apoptosis in laying hens.Consequently,CSB,as a feed additive,exhibited the capacity to prevent FLHS by modulating autophagy and lipid metabolism.

Sodium butyrate alleviates fructose-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by remodeling gut microbiota to promoteγ-amino butyric acid production

Sodium butyrate(NaB)can regulate lipid metabolism and inhibit hepatic steatosis.This study aimed to investigate whether NaB can alleviate fructose-induced hepat ic steatosis via remodeling the gut microbiota and evaluate the anti-fatty liver mechanisms.The results showed that NaB and NaB-remodeled gut microbiota significantly alleviated fructose-induced hepatic steatosis and increased plasma uric acid and fructose levels.Furthermore,both NaB and NaB-remodeled gut microbiota increased the abundance of Lactobacillus and altered the levels of plasma amino acids(upregulating gamma-amino butyric acid(GABA)and downregulating L-glutamic acid and L-arginine)in fructose-exposed mice.The correlation analysis showed that GABA levels positively correlated with Lactobacillus abundance,and increased GABA levels might promote the reduction of the hepatic triglyceride content.Further studies confirmed that GABA significantly reduced lipid deposition in mouse hepatocytes induced via fructose pretreatment in vitro.These findings suggested that NaB could ameliorate fructose-induced hepatic steatosis by regulating gut microbiota.

Prospects for clinical applications of butyrate-producing bacteria

As the major source of energy for colonic mucosal cells and as an important regulator of gene expression,inflammation,differentiation,and apoptosis in host cells,microbiota-derived butyrate can enhance the intestinal mucosal immune barrier,modulate systemic immune response,and prevent infections.Maintaining a certain level of butyrate production in the gut can help balance intestinal microbiota,regulate host immune response,and promote the development and maintenance of the intestinal mucosal barrier.Butyrate-producing bacteria act as probiotics and play important roles in a variety of normal biological functions.Bacteriotherapeutic supplementation by using fecal microbiota transplantation to restore butyrate-producing commensal bacteria in the gut has been very successful in the treatment of recurrent and refractory Clostridium difficile(C.difficile)infection or C.difficile-negative nosocomial diarrhea.Administration of probiotics that include butyrate-producing bacteria may have a role in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases and in the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis and late-onset sepsis in premature infants.Furthermore,modulating gut microbiota with dietary approaches may improve intestinal dysbiosis commonly seen in patients with obesity-associated metabolic disorders.Supplementation with a butyrate-producing bacterial stain might be used to increase energy expenditure,improve insulin sensitivity,and to help control obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Sodium butyrate attenuates high-fat diet-induced steatohepatitis in mice by improving gut microbiota and gastrointestinal barrier

AIM To investigate whether gut microbiota metabolite sodium butyrate (NaB) is an effective substance for attenuating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the internal mechanisms. METHODS Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups, normal control were fed standard chow and model group were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 wk, the intervention group were fed HFD for 16 wk and treated with NaB for 8 wk. Gut microbiota from each group were detected at baseline and at 16 wk, liver histology were evaluated and gastrointestinal barrier indicator such as zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1) were detected by immunohistochemistry and realtime-PCR, further serum or liver endotoxin were determined by ELISA and inflammation-or metabolism-associated genes were quantified by real-time PCR. RESULTS NaB corrected the HFD-induced gut microbiota imbalance in mice, while it considerably elevated the abundances of the beneficial bacteria Christensenellaceae, Blautia and Lactobacillus. These bacteria can produce butyric acid in what seems like a virtuous circle. And butyrate restored HFD induced intestinal mucosa damage, increased the expression of ZO-1 in small intestine, further decreased the levels of gut endotoxin in serum and liver compared with HF group. Endotoxin-associated genes such as TLR4 and Myd88, pro-inflammation genes such as MCP-1, TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6 and IFN-gamma in liver or epididymal fat were obviously downregulated after NaB intervention. Liver inflammation and fat accumulation were ameliorated, the levels of TG and cholesterol in liver were decreased after NaB intervention, NAS score was significantly decreased, metabolic indices such as FBG and HOMA-IR and liver function indicators ALT and AST were improved compared with HF group. CONCLUSION NaB may restore the dysbiosis of gut microbiota to attenuate steatohepatitis, which is suggested to be a potential gut microbiota modulator and therapeutic substance for NAFLD.

Effects of tachyplesin and n-sodium butyrate on proliferation and gene expression of human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line BGC-823

AIM： To investigate the effects of tachyplesin and n-sodium butyrate on proliferation and gene expression of human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line BGC-823. METHODS： Effects of tachyplesin and n-sodium butyrate on proliferation of BGC-823 cells were determined with trypan blue dye exclusion test and HE staining. Effects of tachyplesin and n-sodium butyrate on cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. Protein levels of c-erbB-2, c-myc, p53 and p16 were examined by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS： The inhibiting effects were similar after 2.0 mg/L tachyplesin and 2.0 mmol/L n-sodium butyrate treatment, the inhibitory rate of cellular growth was 62.66% and 60.19% respectively, and the respective maximum mitotic index was decreased by 49.35% and 51.69% respectively. Tachyplesin and n-sodium buD/rate treatment could markedly increase the proportion of cells at G0/G1 phase and decrease the proportion at S phase. The expression levels of oncogene c-erbB-2, c-myc, and mtp53 proteins were down-regulated while the expression level of tumor suppressor gene p16 protein was up-regulated after the treatment with tachyplesin or n-sodium buD/rate. The effects of 1.0 mg/L tachyplesin in combination with 1.0 mmol/L n-sodium butyrate were obviously superior to their individual treatment in changing cell cycle distribution and expression of c-erbB-2, c-myc, mtp53 and p16 protein. The inhibitory rate of cellular growth of BGC-823 cells after combination treatment was 62.29% and the maximum mitotic index wasdecreased by 51.95%. CONCLUSION： Tachyplesin as a differentiation inducer of tumor cells has similar effects as n-sodium butyrate on proliferation of tumor cells, expression of correlative oncogene and tumor suppressor gene. It also has a synergistic effect on differentiation of tumor cells.

Supplementation with sodium butyrate improves growth and antioxidant function in dairy calves before weaning

Background: There is increasing research interest in using short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs) including butyrate as potential alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in animal production. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementation of sodium butyrate(SB) in liquid feeds(milk, milk replacer, and the mixture of both)on the growth performance, rumen fermentation, and serum antioxidant capacity and immunoglobins in dairy calves before weaning. Forty healthy female Holstein calves(4-day-old, 40 ± 5 kg of body weight) were housed in individual hutches and randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatment groups(n = 10 per group) using the RAND function in Excel. The control group was fed no SB(SB0), while the other three groups were supplemented with 15(SB15),30(SB30), or 45(SB45) g/d of SB mixed into liquid feeds offered. The calves were initially fed milk only(days 2 to 20), then a mixture of milk and milk replacer(days 21 to 23), and finally milk replacer only(days 24 to 60).Results: The SB supplementation enhanced growth and improved feed conversion into body weight gain compared with the SB0 group, and the average daily gain increased quadratically with increasing SB supplementation. No significant effect on rumen pH;concentrations of NH_3-N, individual and total VFAs;or acetate:propionate(A:P) ratio was found during the whole experimental period. Serum glutathione peroxidase activity increased linearly with the increased SB supplementation, while the serum concentration of maleic dialdehyde linearly decreased. Serum concentrations of immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, or immunoglobulin M were not affected by the SB supplementation during the whole experimental period.Conclusions: Under the conditions of this study, SB supplementation improved growth performance and antioxidant function in pre-weaned dairy calves. We recommended 45 g/d as the optimal level of SB supplementation mixed into liquid feeds(milk or milk replacer) to improve the growth and antioxidant function of dairy calves before weaning.

Sodium butyrate prevents radiation-induced cognitive impairment by restoring pCREB/BDNF expression

Sodium butyrate is a histone deacetylase inhibitor that affects various types of brain damages.To investigate the effects of sodium butyrate on hippocampal dysfunction that occurs after whole-brain irradiation in animal models and the effect of sodium butyrate on radiation exposure-induced cognitive impairments,adult C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally treated with 0.6 g/kg sodium butyrate before exposure to 10 Gy cranial irradiation.Cognitive impairment in adult C57BL/6 mice was evaluated via an object recognition test 30 days after irradiation.We also detected the expression levels of neurogenic cell markers(doublecortin)and phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor.Radiation-exposed mice had decreased cognitive function and hippocampal doublecortin and phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression.Sodium butyrate pretreatment reversed these changes.These findings suggest that sodium butyrate can improve radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction through inhibiting the decrease in hippocampal phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression.The study procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Korea Institute of Radiological Medical Sciences(approval No.KIRAMS16-0002)on December 30,2016.

A new oral formulation for the release of sodium butyrate in the ileo-cecal region and colon

AIM： To develop a new formulation with hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose and Shellac coating for extended and selective delivery of butyrate in the ileo-caecal region and colon. METHODS： One-gram sodium butyrate coated tablets containing ^13C-butyrate were orally administered to 12 healbhy subjects and 12 Crohn＇s disease patients and the rate of ^13C-butyrate absorption was evaluated by t3CO2 breath test analysis for eight hours. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid （500 rag） was co-administered as a biomarker of oro-ileal transit time to determine also the site of release and absorption of butyrate by the time of its serum maximum concentration. RESULTS： The coated formulation delayed the ^13C-butyrate release by 2-3 h with respect to the uncoated tablets. Sodium butyrate was delivered in the intestine of all subjects and a more variable transit time was found in Crohn＇s disease patients than in healthy subjects. The variability of the peak ^13CO2 in the kinetic release of butyrate was explained by the inter-subject variability in transit time. However, the coating chosen ensured an efficient release of the active compound even in patients with a short transit time. CONCLUSION： Simultaneous evaluation of breath ^13CO2 and tauroursodeoxycholic acid concentrationtime curves has shown that the new oral formulation consistently releases sodium butyrate in the ileo-cecal region and colon both in healthy subjects and Crohn＇s disease patients with variable intestinal transit time. This formulation may be of therapeutic value in inflammatory bowel disease patients due to the appropriate release of the active compound.

The expression of glucose regulated protein-94 in colorectal carcinoma cells treated by sodium butyrate

The expression of glucose regulated protein 94 (GRP94)during the treatment of human colorectal carcinoma cell lineClone A cells with sodium butyrate was studied. Sodium butyrate (SB) can cause functional and morphological effects on Clone A cells including growth arrest at Go/G1 stage and cell differentiation as observed by morphological changes, MTT and flow cytometry assays, as well as reduced Grp94 gene expression as shown by Northern blot and Western blot assays. The possible mechanism of the correlation between Grp94 gene expression and tumor growth inhibition and cell differentiation is briefly discussed.

CREB-binding protein, p300, butyrate, and Wnt signaling in colorectal cancer

This paper reviews the distinctive roles played by the transcriptional coactivators CREB-binding protein(CBP) and p300 in Wnt/β-catenin signaling and cell physiology in colorectal cancer(CRC). Specifically, we focus on the effects of CBP- and p300-mediated Wnt activity on(1) neoplastic progression;(2) the activities of butyrate, a breakdown product of dietary fiber, on cell signaling and colonic cell physiology;(3) the development of resistance to histone deacetylase inhibitors(HDACis), including butyrate and synthetic HDACis, in colonic cells; and(4) the physiology and number of cancer stem cells. Mutations of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway initiate the majority of CRC cases, and we have shown that hyperactivation of this pathway by butyrate and other HDACis promotes CRC cell apoptosis. This activity by butyrate may in part explain the preventive action of fiber against CRC. However, individuals with a high-fiber diet may still develop neoplasia; therefore, resistance to the chemopreventive action of butyrate likely contributes to CRC. CBP or p300 may modify the ability of butyrate to influence colonic cell physiology since the two transcriptional coactivators affect Wnt signaling, and likely, its hyperactivation by butyrate. Also, CBP and p300 likely affect colonic tumorigenesis, as well as stem cell pluripotency. Improvement of CRC prevention and therapy requires a better understanding of the alterations in Wnt signaling and gene expression that underlie neoplastic progression, stem cell fate, and the development of resistance to butyrate and clinically relevant HDACis. Detailed knowledge of how CBP- and p300 modulate colonic cell physiology may lead to new approaches for anti-CRC prevention and therapeutics, particularly with respect to combinatorial therapy of CBP/p300 inhibitors with HDACis.

Beneficial effect of butyrate, Lactobacillus casei and L-carnitine combination in preference to each in experimental colitis

AIM: To investigate the beneficial effect of the combination of butyrate, Lactobacillus casei, and L-carnitine in a rat colitis model.

Sodium butyrate protects against toxin-induced acute liver failure in rats

BACKGROUND: Acute liver failure(ALF) is a serious clinical syndrome with high mortality. Sodium butyrate has been shown to alleviate organ injury in a wide variety of preclinical models of critical diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of sodium butyrate on ALF in rats.METHODS: All rats were randomly divided into control,model and sodium butyrate treatment groups. Except the control group, the rats were induced ALF animal model by subcutaneous injection of human serum albumin+D- galactosamine+lipopolysaccharide. After induction of ALF,the rats in the treatment group received sodium butyrate(500mg/kg) at 12-hour or 24-hour time point. Fourty-eight hours after ALF induction, the animals were sacrificed and samples were harvested. Serum endotoxin, high mobility group box-1(HMGB1), liver function parameters, tumor necrosis factoralpha(TNF-α) and interferon-gamma(IFN-γ) were measured.The expression of HMGB1 and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)p65 protein in liver tissue was detected by Western blotting. The histological changes of liver and intestine were examined. The survival duration was also observed.RESULTS: Serum endotoxin, alanine aminotransferase, HMGB1,TNF-α and IFN-γ were significantly increased and the liver histology showed more severe histopathological injury in the model group compared with the control group(P<0.05).Compared to the model group, sodium butyrate treatment significantly improved the histopathological changes in the liver and intestine, reduced serum endotoxin and inflammatory cytokines, suppressed HMGB1 and NF-кB p65 proteins in liver tissue, and prolonged the survival duration regardless of treatment at 12 hours or 24 hours after induction of ALF(P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Sodium butyrate protected the liver from toxin-induced ALF in rats. The mechanisms may be due to direct hepatoprotection and decreased intestinal permeability.

Sodium Butyrate Induces Apoptosis of Human Colon Cancer Cells by Modulating ERK and Sphingosine Kinase 2

Objective To investigate the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK） in apoptosis of human colon cancer （HCT116） cells. Methods After the HCT116 cells were pretreated with specific ERK inhibitor （U0126） or specific siRNA and exposed to 10 mmol/L sodium butyrate （NaBT） for 24 h, their apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, levels of SphK2 and ERK protein were measured by Western blot, and translocation of SphK2 was assayed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Results The U0126 and siRNAs specific for SphK2 blocked the export of SphK2 from nuclei to cytoplasm and increased the apoptosis of HCT116 cells following NaBT exposure. Over-expression of PKD decreased NaBT-induced apoptosis of HCT116 cells, which was reversed by U0126. Furthermore, transfection of HCT116 cells with constitutively activated PKD plasmids recovered the UO126-blocked export of SphK2. Conclusion ERK regulates the export of SphK2 and apoptosis of HCT116 cells by modulating PKD. Modulation of these molecules may help increase the sensitivity of colon cancer cells to the physiologic anti-colon cancer agent, NaBT.

Protective effects of sodium butyrate on rotavirus inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis via PERK-eIF2αsignaling pathway in IPEC-J2 cells

Background:Rotavirus(RV)is a major pathogen that causes severe gastroenteritis in infants and young animals.Endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress and subsequent apoptosis play pivotal role in virus infection.However,the protective mechanisms of intestinal damage caused by RV are poorly defined,especially the molecular pathways related to enterocytes apoptosis.Thus,the aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of sodium butyrate(SB)on RV-induced apoptosis of IPEC-J2 cells.Results:The RV infection led to significant cell apoptosis,increased the expression levels of ER stress(ERS)markers,phosphorylated protein kinase-like ER kinase(PERK),eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha(eIF2α),caspase9,and caspase3.Blocking PERK pathway using specific inhibitor GSK subsequently reversed RV-induced cell apoptosis.The SB treatment significantly inhibited RV-induced ERS by decreasing the expression of glucose regulated protein 78(GRP78),PERK,and eIF2α.In addition,SB treatment restrained the ERS-mediated apoptotic pathway,as indicated by downregulation of C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP)mRNA level,as well as decreased cleaved caspase9 and caspase3 protein levels.Furthermore,siRNA-induced GPR109a knockdown significantly suppressed the protective effect of SB on RV-induced cell apoptosis.Conclusions:These results indicate that SB exerts protective effects against RV-induced cell apoptosis through inhibiting ERS mediated apoptosis by regulating PERK-eIF2αsignaling pathway via GPR109a,which provide new ideas for the prevention and control of RV.

Butyrate in combination with forskolin alleviates necrotic enteritis,increases feed efficiency,and improves carcass composition of broilers

Background:The emergence of antimicrobial resistance has necessitated the development of effective alternatives to antibiotics for livestock and poultry production.This study investigated a possible synergy between butyrate and forskolin(a natural labdane diterpene)in enhancing innate host defense,barrier function,disease resistance,growth performance,and meat quality of broilers.Methods:The expressions of representative genes involved in host defense(AvBD9 and AvBD10),barrier function(MUC2,CLDN1,and TJP1),and inflammation(IL-1β)were measured in chicken HD11 macrophages in response to butyrate and forskolin in the presence or absence of bacterial lipopolysaccharides(LPS).Intestinal lesions and the Clostridium perfringens titers were also assessed in C.perfringens-challenged chickens fed butyrate and forskolincontaining Coleus forskohlii(CF)extract individually or in combination.Furthermore,growth performance and carcass characteristics were evaluated in broilers supplemented with butyrate and the CF extract for 42 d.Results:Butyrate and forskolin synergistically induced the expressions of AvBD9,AvBD10,and MUC2 in chicken HD11 cells(P<0.05)and the synergy was maintained in the presence of LPS.Butyrate and forskolin also suppressed LPS-induced IL-1βgene expression in HD11 cells in a synergistic manner(P<0.05).The two compounds significantly reduced the intestinal lesions of C.perfringens-challenged chickens when combined(P<0.05),but not individually.Furthermore,butyrate in combination with forskolin-containing CF extract had no influence on weight gain,but significantly reduced feed intake(P<0.05)with a strong tendency to improve feed efficiency(P=0.07)in a 42-d feeding trial.Desirably,the butyrate/forskolin combination significantly decreased abdominal fat deposition(P=0.01)with no impact on the carcass yield,breast meat color,drip loss,or pH of d-42 broilers.Conclusions:Butyrate and forskolin has potential to be developed as novel antibiotic alternatives to improve disease resistance,feed efficiency,and carcass composition of broilers.

Suppression of fibrosis in human pterygium fibroblasts by butyrate and phenylbutyrate

AIM：To evaluate the antifibrogenic effects of butyrate or phenylbutyrate,a chemical derivative of butyrate,in human pterygium fibroblasts.METHODS：Human pterygium fibroblasts obtained from patient pterygium tissue were treated with butyrate or phenylbutyrate for 48h.Expression ofα-smooth muscle actin,collagen I,collagen III and matrix metalloproteinase-1m RNA was measured by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction,and acetylated histone was evaluated by Western blotting.RESULTS：Butyrate inhibitedα-smooth muscle actin,type III collagen and matrix metalloproteinase-1 expressions,and phenylbutyrate inhibited types I and III collagen and matrix metalloproteinase-1 expressions without changing cell viability as well as both of these increased histone acetylation.These results suggested that butyrate and phenylbutyrate suppress fibrosis through a mechanism involving histone deacetylase inhibitor.CONCLUSION：This indicates that butyrate or phenylbutyrate have antifibrogenic effects in human pterygium fibroblasts and could be novel types of prophylactic and/or therapeutic drugs for pterygium,especially phenylbutyrate,which does not have the unpleasant smell associated with butyrate.

Use of butyrate or glutamine in enema solution reduces inflammation and fibrosis in experimental diversion colitis

AIM:To investigate whether butyrate or glutamine enemas could diminish inflammation in experimental diversion colitis.METHODS:Wistar specific pathogen-free rats were submitted to a Hartmann's end colostomy and treated with enemas containing glutamine,butyrate,or saline.Enemas were administered twice a week in the excluded segment of the colon from 4 to 12 wk after the surgical procedure.Follow-up colonoscopy was performed every 4 wk for 12 wk.The effect of treatment was evaluated using video-endoscopic and histologic scores and measuring interleukin-1β,tumor necrosis factor-alpha,and transforming growth factor beta production in organ cultures by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS:Colonoscopies of the diverted segment showed mucosa with hyperemia,increased number of vessels,bleeding and mucus discharge.Treatment with either glutamine or butyrate induced significant reductions in both colonoscopic(P < 0.02) and histological scores(P < 0.01) and restored the densities of collagen fibers in tissue(P = 0.015;P = 0.001),the number of goblet cells(P = 0.021;P = 0.029),and the rate of apoptosis within the epithelium(P = 0.043;P = 0.011) to normal values.The high levels of cytokines in colon explants from rats with diversion colitis significantly decreased to normal values after treatment with butyrate or glutamine.CONCLUSION:The improvement of experimental diversion colitis following glutamine or butyrate enemas highlights the importance of specific luminal nutrients in the homeostasis of the colonic mucosa and supports their utilization for the treatment of human diversion colitis.