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Butyrate enemas do not affect human colonic MUC2 and TFF3 expression
Henrike M Hamer1, Daisy M A E Jonkers, Ingrid B Renes
1TI Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|May 13, 2010
Summary
Butyrate enemas did not alter the colonic mucus layer in healthy individuals or ulcerative colitis patients in remission. This suggests butyrate may not impact mucus production or composition in the human colon.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiome Research
- Mucosal Immunology
Background:
- The colonic mucus layer, comprising MUC2, trefoil factor 3 (TFF3), and secretory IgA, is crucial for intestinal barrier function.
- Butyrate, a dietary fiber fermentation product, is linked to colonic health benefits, with prior studies suggesting it influences MUC2 and TFF3 expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of rectal butyrate administration on colonic mucus layer parameters in humans.
- To assess MUC2 and TFF3 expression, mucin composition, and secretory IgA levels following butyrate treatment.
Main Methods:
- Healthy volunteers and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients received daily rectal enemas of butyrate or placebo for 2-3 weeks.
- Colonic biopsies were analyzed for MUC2 and TFF3 expression (RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry).
- Mucosal sections were stained for sialomucins/sulphomucins; fecal samples assessed mucus secretion and secretory IgA.
Main Results:
- Butyrate enemas did not significantly alter MUC2 or TFF3 expression in either healthy volunteers or UC patients.
- No significant changes were observed in sialomucin percentage, total mucus secretion, or secretory IgA concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Rectal administration of butyrate did not impact key parameters of the colonic mucus layer in healthy individuals or UC patients in remission.
- These findings indicate that butyrate may not modulate the human colonic mucus barrier under these conditions.
