Review of the effects of sodium butyrate on obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, pregnancy and colorectal cancer

Introduction and Purpose: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including butyric acid, acetic acid and propionic acid, are naturally produced in the large intestine by bacterial fermentation of insoluble carbohydrates and oligosaccharides. Butyric acid, which is the main source of energy for colon cells, has regenerative, cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Its physiological importance lies in maintaining the integrity and function of the intestinal epithelium, which protects the body against pathogens and oxidative stress. SCFA deficiencies resulting from low dietary fiber supply can lead to intestinal disorders. Supplementation with sodium butyrate, particularly using micro-encapsulation technology, enables efficient delivery of butyric acid to the gut, which may be beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and in the prevention of obesity and insulin resistance. Sodium butyrate (NaB) also has promising potential in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), inducing apoptosis of cancer cells, increasing sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy and protecting healthy cells. SCFAs, especially butyrate, play a key role in reproductive medicine, oncology and gastroenterology, contributing to the maintenance of health and being potential therapeutic targets. The aim of this paper is to review the available literature on this topic. Material and methods: The review was based on articles obtained from PubMed scientific database published from 2014-2024, using the following keywords: sodium butyrate, obesity, pregnancy, inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, SCFA. Conclusions: Studies confirm the beneficial effects of sodium butyrate on metabolism, intestinal integrity and reduction of inflammation, opening up new possibilities in the treatment of metabolic disorders and intestinal diseases. However, further clinical studies conducted on humans are still needed, as most of the work to date has been conducted on mice and/or rats.