Butyrylated starch protects mice from DSS-induced colitis: combined effects of butyrate release and prebiotic supply

Butyrate has recently emerged as a promising substance for the therapy of colitis. To overcome shortcomings implicated in existed delivery systems of butyrate, we utilized butyrylated starch to achieve specific delivery of butyrate to the colon. Herein, we described a stable loading of butyrate via chemical bond with a heterogeneous distribution that throughout the entire particle. Butyrylated starch supply increased butyrate as well as total short-chain fatty acids contents at the end of intervention period. Meanwhile, butyrylated starch showed multiple effects on the suppression of DSS-induced colitis. Through observations on gut-liver axis, reduced hepatic inflammation and hepatocyte damage further confirmed an alleviated colonic inflammation. Given that butyrylated starch has combined effects of specific release of butyrate at colon and extra supply of fermentable substrates for gut microbiota, this work provides an effective strategy for the assistant therapy of colitis.