Tributyrin

Tributyrin is a triglyceride composed of three butyrate molecules esterified to glycerol, serving as a stable and effective prodrug for butyric acid (PubChem CID 6050). It is naturally present in dairy products and is widely utilized in pharmacological research to deliver butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), to the gut and systemic circulation (PubMed: 10833283). Upon ingestion, tributyrin is hydrolyzed by intestinal and pancreatic lipases, releasing butyrate which serves as the primary energy source for colonocytes and maintains intestinal barrier integrity (PubMed: 16226342). The released butyrate acts as a potent inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs), promoting histone hyperacetylation and regulating gene expression related to cell differentiation, growth arrest, and apoptosis in various cancer cell lines (PubMed: 11033546). Additionally, butyrate functions as a ligand for G protein-coupled receptors such as GPR41 and GPR43, playing a crucial role in immune modulation and metabolic homeostasis (PubMed: 23821632). Tributyrin is investigated for therapeutic use in inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, and metabolic disorders due to its superior palatability and pharmacokinetic properties compared to free butyrate salts.

Other names

Glyceryl tributyrateGlycerol tributyrateButyrinPropane-1,2,3-triyl tributyrateTributyroin

Tributyrin acts as a prodrug that is hydrolyzed by lipases to release three molecules of butyrate. The released butyrate then functions as a potent inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs) and an agonist for G protein-coupled receptors such as GPR41 (FFAR3), GPR43 (FFAR2), and GPR109A (HCAR2) (PubMed: 11033546, 23821632).