The Role of Gut Microbiome-Derived Short-Chain Fatty Acid Butyrate in Hepatobiliary Diseases

The multiple beneficial effects of the short-chain fatty acid butyrate on human health, produced from fermentable carbohydrates by gut microbiota in the colon, are well known. At the intestinal level, butyrate regulates metabolism, helps in the transepithelial transport of fluids, inhibits inflammation, and induces the epithelial defense barrier. The liver receives a large amount of short-chain fatty acids along with the blood that travels from the gut via the portal vein. In many recent studies, butyrate has been reported to help prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, inflammation, cancer, and liver injuries.
Source: American Journal of Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research