Tributyrin concentrate extract
Also known as: glyceryl tributyrate, tributyrin concentrate extract, ButyraGen®, Tributyrin
Overview
Tributyrin is a triglyceride form of butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) naturally produced by gut microbiota fermentation of dietary fiber. It is designed as a more stable and bioavailable prodrug for butyrate supplementation, overcoming the rapid metabolism of free butyrate. Upon digestion, tributyrin is hydrolyzed in the small intestine to release butyrate, which serves as a primary energy source for colonocytes and possesses significant anti-inflammatory properties. It is primarily used to promote gut health, modulate inflammation, support energy metabolism, and potentially improve liver function. Research also explores its effects on metabolic markers and meat quality in animal models. While human clinical data are limited, emerging pilot randomized controlled trials suggest its safety and biological activity, indicating its potential as a fat metabolism modulator and gut health supplement.
Benefits
Tributyrin offers several potential benefits, primarily by delivering butyrate to the body. A pilot randomized controlled trial in healthy adults (200-400 mg/day) demonstrated its safety and good tolerability, showing statistically significant decreases in fecal acetic and propionic acids, suggesting modulation of gut SCFA profiles. The higher dose also led to a significant increase in triglycerides. Trends towards decreased hs-CRP (an inflammatory marker) and glucose were observed, indicating potential anti-inflammatory and metabolic benefits, though these did not reach statistical significance. In animal studies, tributyrin has been shown to improve antioxidant enzyme activities (e.g., superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase), alter ruminal microbial activity, and enhance meat quality by increasing monounsaturated fatty acids and water retention. While human data are preliminary and modest in effect size, the observed changes in fecal SCFAs and metabolic markers suggest a role in metabolic modulation. Benefits in humans have been observed within 3 weeks of supplementation.
How it works
Tributyrin functions as a prodrug for butyrate. Upon ingestion, it is hydrolyzed in the small intestine by pancreatic lipases, releasing three molecules of butyrate and one molecule of glycerol. Butyrate then acts as a crucial energy source for intestinal epithelial cells (colonocytes), supporting gut barrier integrity and function. Systemically, butyrate modulates inflammation by inhibiting histone deacetylases (HDACs) and interacting with G-protein coupled receptors (GPR41, GPR43), influencing gene expression related to inflammation and metabolism. It also impacts lipid metabolism and can influence the composition and activity of the gut microbiome. Tributyrin's structure allows for more stable and efficient delivery of butyrate compared to free butyrate salts, ensuring better absorption in the small intestine before systemic distribution.
Side effects
Tributyrin supplementation at doses up to 400 mg/day has been found to be safe and well-tolerated in healthy adults. The most common side effect reported is mild gastrointestinal discomfort, occurring in fewer than 10% of participants in pilot studies. Uncommon (1-5%) and rare (<1%) side effects are not well documented due to the limited scope of current research. No serious adverse events have been reported in available studies. There are no documented drug interactions, but caution is advised due to the limited data. No specific contraindications have been established, though caution is suggested for individuals with pre-existing gastrointestinal disorders until more comprehensive data are available. Safety data for special populations such as pregnant or lactating women, pediatric patients, or severely ill individuals are currently unavailable.
Dosage
Based on current pilot human studies, the minimum effective dose of tributyrin appears to be 200 mg/day, which has shown biological effects. The optimal dosage range for healthy adults is considered to be 200-400 mg/day, as this range has demonstrated safety and biological activity. The maximum safe dose has not yet been established, and higher doses require further research. Tributyrin is typically taken daily, though specific timing relative to meals has not been specified in research. It is available in forms such as ButyraGen® capsules. Its absorption primarily occurs in the small intestine, and factors influencing fat digestion and pancreatic lipase activity may affect its bioavailability. No specific cofactors are identified as required for its efficacy.
FAQs
How quickly do benefits appear?
Biological effects of tributyrin, such as changes in fecal short-chain fatty acids, have been observed within 3 weeks of supplementation in pilot human trials.
Does tributyrin affect gut microbiota?
Tributyrin may modulate short-chain fatty acid profiles and microbial activity in the gut, but comprehensive human data on its direct impact on microbiota composition are still limited.
Is tributyrin better than butyrate salts?
Tributyrin is designed to be more stable and better absorbed than free butyrate salts, potentially offering a superior and more efficient delivery of butyrate to the body.
Can it be used for metabolic or inflammatory diseases?
Preliminary data suggest potential benefits for metabolic and inflammatory conditions, but robust, large-scale clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy in disease populations.
Research Sources
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3233/NHA-240005 – This single-blinded, two-arm, 28-day pilot RCT in healthy adults (n=24 completed) found that tributyrin (ButyraGen®) at 200-400 mg/day was safe and well-tolerated. It significantly reduced fecal acetic and propionic acids and increased triglycerides at the higher dose, with trends towards reduced hs-CRP and glucose, suggesting metabolic modulation.
- https://www.scirp.org/pdf/fns20241511_42703961.pdf – This controlled animal study in lambs demonstrated that tributyrin supplementation improved antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase) and altered ruminal microbial populations. It also enhanced meat quality by increasing monounsaturated fatty acids and water retention, highlighting its potential in animal nutrition.
- https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=137315 – This source, likely related to the previous one, further details the findings from the animal study in lambs. It reinforces that tributyrin improved antioxidant status and meat quality parameters, providing insights into its physiological effects in livestock.
- https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1303&context=pms-research – This systematic review focused on SCFA-increasing interventions, including tributyrin, primarily in animal models. It concluded that tributyrin supplementation reduced hepatic triglycerides and inflammatory markers in animal models of liver injury, suggesting potential hepatoprotective effects, though human data remain sparse.
- https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.03.13.22272319v2.full.pdf – This pre-print, likely an earlier version or related work to the human pilot RCT, provides further details on the safety and biological effects of tributyrin in healthy adults. It supports the findings of good tolerability and modulation of gut-derived SCFAs and metabolic markers, reinforcing the potential for human application.
Supplements Containing Tributyrin concentrate extract
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