Effect of butyrate enemas on inflammation and antioxidant status in the colonic mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis in remission.

H.M.H. Hamer, D.M. Jonkers*, S.A. Vanhoutvin, F.J. Troost, G. Rijkers, A. de Bruine, A. Bast, K. Venema, R.J. Brummer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Butyrate, produced by colonic fermentation of dietary fibers is often hypothesized to beneficially affect colonic health. This study aims to assess the effects of butyrate on inflammation and oxidative stress in subjects with chronically mildly elevated parameters of inflammation and oxidative stress. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with ulcerative colitis in clinical remission daily administered 60ml rectal enemas containing 100mM sodium butyrate (n=17) or saline (n=18) during 20 days (NCT00696098). Before and after the intervention feces, blood and colonic mucosal biopsies were obtained. Parameters of antioxidant defense and oxidative damage, myeloperoxidase, several cytokines, fecal calprotectin and CRP were determined. RESULTS: Butyrate enemas induced minor effects on colonic inflammation and oxidative stress. Only a significant increase of the colonic IL-10/IL-12 ratio was found within butyrate-treated patients (p=0.02), and colonic concentrations of CCL5 were increased after butyrate compared to placebo treatment (p=0.03). Although in general butyrate did not affect colonic glutathione levels, the effects of butyrate enemas on total colonic glutathione appeared to be dependent on the level of inflammation. CONCLUSION: Although UC patients in remission were characterized by low-grade oxidative stress and inflammation, rectal butyrate enemas showed only minor effects on inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)738-744
Number of pages7
JournalClinical Nutrition
Volume29
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2010

Keywords

  • Butyrate
  • Colonic inflammation
  • Cytokines
  • Glutathione
  • Oxidative stress
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL
  • FATTY-ACID ENEMAS
  • BOWEL-DISEASE
  • DIETARY FIBER
  • INTERLEUKIN-8 SECRETION
  • FECAL CALPROTECTIN
  • COLORECTAL-CANCER
  • OXIDATIVE DAMAGE
  • EPITHELIAL-CELLS
  • GLUTATHIONE

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