Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Sodium butyrate, a salt form of butyric acid, is a short-chain fatty acid produced naturally by bacterial fermentation of dietary fibers in the colon. There is a moderate level of scientific evidence suggesting its benefit in supporting or treating Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Butyrate serves as a primary energy source for colonocytes (cells lining the colon) and is involved in maintaining mucosal integrity and modulating inflammatory responses. Several animal studies and small-scale human clinical trials have explored its effects. For example, rectal administration of sodium butyrate enemas has shown improvement in symptoms and histological inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis in a handful of randomized controlled trials. Proposed mechanisms include the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling, reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, enhancement of the gut barrier, and promotion of regulatory T cell responses.

However, while there is promising preclinical and early clinical evidence, the overall quality and size of human studies are limited, and findings are not always consistent. Sodium butyrate is not considered a first-line therapy for IBD, but may be used as an adjunct in certain cases, particularly for patients with distal ulcerative colitis. Further large-scale, well-designed clinical trials are necessary to establish its efficacy and safety profile definitively. As such, its use is supported by a moderate level of scientific evidence, but it is not yet a standard part of IBD treatment protocols.

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