Title:Protective Mechanisms of Butyrate on Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Volume: 24
Issue: 35
Author(s): João P.B. Silva, Kely C. Navegantes-Lima, Ana L.B. Oliveira, Dávila V.S. Rodrigues, Sílvia L.F. Gaspar, Valter V.S. Monteiro, Davi P. Moura and Marta C. Monteiro*
Affiliation:
- Neuroscience and Cellular Biology Post Graduation Program, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Para, Avenue Augusto Correa SN, Guama, Para 66075-110,Brazil
Keywords:
Butyrate, Short chain fatty acids, inflammatory bowel disease, IBD, inflammation, ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's disease.
Abstract: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multifactorial chronic disease, commonly associated with alteration
in the composition and function of gut microbiota. This process can lead to a decreased production of short
chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by the gut microbiota, mainly butyrate, which is an important immunomodulatory
molecule in the intestine. Butyrogenic bacteria normally produces butyrate through carbohydrate fermentation or
amino acids degradation pathways. This molecule plays an important protective role in intestinal homeostasis
acting in both adaptive immunity and innate immunity. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the
role of butyrate on the development of IBD and the protective mechanisms of this metabolite on the intestinal
mucosa and the whole body, as reported by in vitro and in vivo studies. Thus, butyrate can regulate the activation
of regulatory T cells, increasing the acetylation of histones and decreasing the activation of NF-κB. In addition, it
can also stimulate the mucus production from epithelial cells and the rearrangement of tight junction proteins.
