Sodium butyrate is a short chain fatty acid that has effects at the molecular, cellular, and tissue level. It has long been known as an inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs).1,2 In cells, this alters the expression of a select group of genes containing butyrate response elements and may also involve Sp1/Sp3 binding sites.3 Sodium butyrate also induces growth arrest, differentiation and apoptosis in cancer cells, primarily through its effects on HDAC activity.4 In addition, it suppresses inflammation, in part by reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-6, and, and IL-1β.5
1
Boffa, L.C., Vidali, G., Mann, R.S., et al. Suppression of histone deacetylation in vivo and in vitro by sodium butyrate. J Biol Chem253(10)3364-3366(1978).
2
Sealy, L., and Chalkley, R. The effect of sodium butyrate on histone modification. Cell14115-121(1978).
3
Davie, J.R. Inhibition of histone deacetylase activity by butyrate. J Nutr1332485-2493(2003).
4
Monneret, C. Inhibition of histone deacetylase activity by butyrate. Eur J Med Chem401-13(2005).
5
Joseph, J., Mudduluru, G., Antony, S., et al. Expression profiling of sodium butyrate (NaB)-treated cells: identification of regulation of genes related to cytokine signaling and cancer metastasis by NaB. Oncogene236304-6315(2004).
Synonyms
Butyric Acid (sodium salt)
Formal Name
butanoic acid, sodium salt
CAS Number
156-54-7
Molecular Formula
C4H8O2 · Na
Formula Weight
111.1
Formulation
A crystalline solid
Purity
≥95%
Stability
2 years
Storage
Room temperature
Shipping
Room temperature
in continental US; may vary elsewhere
SMILES
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CCCC(O)=O.[Na]
Background Reading
Monneret, C. Inhibition of histone deacetylase activity by butyrate. Eur J Med Chem401-13(2005).
Davie, J.R. Inhibition of histone deacetylase activity by butyrate. J Nutr1332485-2493(2003).
Sealy, L., and Chalkley, R. The effect of sodium butyrate on histone modification. Cell14115-121(1978).
Boffa, L.C., Vidali, G., Mann, R.S., et al. Suppression of histone deacetylation in vivo and in vitro by sodium butyrate. J Biol Chem253(10)3364-3366(1978).
Joseph, J., Mudduluru, G., Antony, S., et al. Expression profiling of sodium butyrate (NaB)-treated cells: identification of regulation of genes related to cytokine signaling and cancer metastasis by NaB. Oncogene236304-6315(2004).