GUT HEAL ▶▶▶TH
Impact of butyrate on gut health
Although the functions of butyrate might be familiar to many, is the impact of butyrate the same in the distinct GIT segments on digestive function, microbiota composition and immune responses?
BY MATTHEW WEDZERAI B
ased on the research findings of Moquet in broilers, Poultry World sheds more light on the effects of bu- tyrate on different segments of the GIT as it contrib- utes to gut health in broilers. The interesting ques-
tions to answer are: “What are the effects of supplementing broiler diets with butyrate on digestive function, microbiota composition and immune responses? Are these effects influ- enced by the GIT segment?” Not many studies have focused on butyrate concentrations along the GIT. Hence, it remains uncertain whether the effects elicited by butyrate are condi- tioned by the GIT segment wherein the molecule is present. Failure to understand this, might limit the full use of butyrate supplements as a nutritional strategy in the poultry industry.
Functions of butyrate Butyrate is used as a feed additive and can be fed as unpro- tected or in the form of protected additives such as butyrate glycerides (mono-, di- and tri-glycerides) or butyrate-loaded matrices (fat coated or microencapsulated butyrate). In poul- try, dietary butyrate supplementation has been shown to re- sult in maintaining optimal gut health and stimulating growth performance, a positive effect on gut morphology, improved carcass traits (reduce fatty carcases), improved nu- trient digestibility – also an energy source, bacteriostatic properties and improvement of the birds immune response.
Modes of action in the gut Butyrate down-regulates pro-inflammatory pathways by in- hibiting cytoplasmic kinase – resulting in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor α or interleukins 1β, 2 and 6 (Barnes and Karin, 1997). In poultry, these proinflammatory cytokines induce a
16 ▶ POULTRY WORLD | No. 2, 2019
homeorhetic response that modifies nutrient portioning during inflammatory responses. In addition, butyrate reduces fat carcasses due to stressors, through pro-inflammatory cytokines which have a positive effect on lipid metabolism. Butyrate improves the integrity of the epithelial cell layer. The epithelial barrier is essential for a normal intestinal function, and impairment may lead to inflammation. Butyrate increas- es the expression of TJ proteins and, therefore, the intestinal epithelial integrity. Furthermore, Butyrate supplementation promotes the aver- age relative contribution of Clostridium lactifermentans and Ruminococcus bromii while reducing the relative abundance of Clostridium perfringens. Butyrate is also known to down-regulate the expression of genes involved in the patho- genicity of Salmonella typhimurium. It also reduces caecal colonisation and faecal shedding of Salmonella enteritidis. Butyrate presence in the GIT can lead to a rise in cholecysto- kinin, peptide YY and glucagon-like peptide 2 levels, and to a decrease in pancreatic peptide level. Such changes could support intestinal and gastric mucosa development, increase gastric retention time and stimulate gastric and pancreatic secretions. As a result, nutrient digestibility and absorption could be improved.
Importance of release location The precise GIT segment wherein butyrate is released is usually unclear. Release location may affect the observed
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