Butyric acid: pharmacological aspects and routes of administration

Abstract

Butyric acid is an organic acid containing 4 carbon atoms and is produced in the large intestine through fermentation by the intestinal bacterial flora of undigested sugars and dietary fibre. It is considered the most important source of energy for colonic cells; in addition, it exerts numerous anti-inflammatory effects while regulating proliferation of colonocytes and absorption of water and electrolytes. Many intestinal diseases are characterised by reduced concentrations of butyric acid in the colon and drugs that successfully prevent oxidation have been shown to be effective in the treatment of chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases.