Acute Effects of Butyrate on Induced Hyperpermeability and Tight Junction Protein Expression in Human Colonic Tissues.

Intact intestinal barrier function is essential for maintaining intestinal homeostasis. A dysfunctional intestinal barrier can lead to local and systemic inflammation through translocation of luminal antigens and has been associated with a range of health disorders. Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid derived from microbial fermentation of dietary fibers in the colon, has been described as an intestinal barrier-strengthening agent, although mainly by using in vitro and animal models.