The epigenetic effects of butyrate: potential therapeutic implications for clinical practice

Abstract

Butyrate is a short chain fatty acid derived from the microbial fermentation of dietary fibers in the colon. In the last decade, multiple beneficial effects of butyrate at intestinal and extraintestinal level have been demonstrated. The mechanisms of action of butyrate are different and many of these involve an epigenetic regulation of gene expression through the inhibition of histone deacetylase. There is a growing interest in butyrate because its impact on epigenetic mechanisms will lead to more specific and efficacious therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of different diseases ranging from genetic/metabolic conditions to neurological degenerative disorders. This review is focused on recent data regarding the epigenetic effects of butyrate with potential clinical implications in human medicine.

Fatty acid profile of commercialCamembert- andBrie-type cheeses available on the Polish market

“…A typical trait of milk fat is the presence of SCSFAs which have documented health-promoting properties (Canani et al, 2012;Mills, Ross, Hill, Fitzgerald, & Stanton, 2011). Both the Camembert-type and the Brie-type cheeses were characterized by a high total content of SCSFAs in fat that ranged from 15.03 to 18.74 g/100 g FA (Tables 1 and 2).…”

“…It needs to be emphasized that a high content of C4:0 in the Camembert-type and Brie-type cheeses (0.55-1.56 g/100 g 2.12 ± 0.13c 2.10 ± 0.02c 2.00 ± 0.02c Ratio of n-6/n-3 product and 1340-1440 mg/100 g product, respectively) could be beneficial to consumers (Table 3). Scientific works underline the beneficial effect of this acid on the development of an appropriate structure and functions of epithelium in all sections of the large bowel and on peristalsis modulation in intestines and internal organs (Canani et al, 2012;Mills et al, 2011). In addition, butyric acid is appreciated for its anticarcinogenic properties, suppression of angiogenesis, and induction of apoptosis (Emanuele et al, 2004).…”

“…Short-chain SFAs (SCSFAs) also exhibit beneficial biological, physiological, and nutritional properties. Their most important effects include anticarcinogenic activity, growth inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms, and therapeutic potential in colonic diseases (Canani, Di Costanzo, & Leone, 2012;Tadelind, Westberg, Kjerrulf, & Vida, 2007).…”

Butyrate reduces appetite and activates brown adipose tissue via the gut-brain neural circuit

“…Several antiobesity agents have been developed and are clinically applied with significant benefits, but do have a high probability of developing adverse effects, in particular in the application for long-term weight management 10. Butyrate is currently widely emerging as a potential strategy for treatment of cancer, IBD, inherited disorders and neurodegeneration 48. Our collective data now show that butyrate also induces sustained satiety and enhances fat oxidation, thereby effectively preventing diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridaemia and hepatic steatosis, without inducing any apparent unfavourable effects.…”

Sodium Butyrate and Valproic Acid as Splicing Restoring Agents in Erythroid Cells of b-Thalassemic Patients

“…Butyrates are short chain fatty acids that inhibit histone deacetylase and therefore reactivate many genes (16)(17)(18)(19). In hemoglobinopathies, Butyrates are clinically used to treat sickle-cell anemia and Thalassemia through induction of the expression of γ-gene, producing fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and activating the γ-globin (20)(21)(22)(23)(24).…”