Short-chain fatty acid butyrate, a breast milk metabolite, enhances immature intestinal barrier function genes in response to inflammation in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

This study extends previous observations to define the anti-inflammatory properties of butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid produced by the metabolism of breastmilk oligosaccharides by colonizing bacteria. Using transcription profiling of immature enterocyte genes, after exposure to butyrate and an IL-1β stimulus, we showed that tight-junction genes and mucus genes were increased, which contributed to the anti-inflammatory effect.