tributyrin

Tributyrin is a triglyceride containing three molecules of butyrate, serving as a stable and orally bioavailable prodrug of butyric acid. Upon ingestion, it is hydrolyzed by pancreatic lipases in the small intestine to release butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA). Butyrate primarily acts as a potent inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs), which leads to the hyperacetylation of histones and subsequent modulation of gene expression, promoting cell cycle arrest, differentiation, and apoptosis in various malignant cells. Tributyrin has been clinically investigated for its potential in differentiation therapy for advanced solid tumors and for its ability to induce fetal hemoglobin in patients with sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. Additionally, it is widely utilized as a dietary supplement and in veterinary medicine to support gastrointestinal health, enhance intestinal barrier function, and modulate the gut microbiome.

Other names

glyceryl tributyrateglycerin tributyratetributyrylglycerolpropane-1,2,3-triyl tributyrate