Butyric acid and its perspectives in control of obesity

Butyric acid (BA, butyrate) is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) - a metabolite of the human gut microbiota (GM). This SCFA is represented in a larger amount relative to other SCFAs and is synthesized by butyrate-producing representatives of GM via various pathways. The substrate for the synthesis of BA is some food products, mainly starch and to a lesser extent dairy products. The synthesis of BA is directly or indirectly influenced by various factors, including dietary habits, antibacterial therapy, as well as harmful habits (smoking, alcohol abuse). Numerous data confirm the important role of BA in various metabolic processes. The effects of BA are of particular relevance in endocrinology as one of the potential mechanisms for controlling carbohydrate metabolism and body weight. Given the large amount of data on the correlation of an increase in the level of BA with the positive dynamics of metabolic parameters, as well as the presence of a wide range of pleiotropic effects of BA, it is interesting to study ways to control the metabolism of GM and, in particular, the production of BA. At the moment, there is no doubt about such method as the modification of nutrition. The use of dietary fiber, transplantation of fecal microbiota and the use of genetic engineering methods to improve the butyrate-producing properties of bacteria are actively discussed. Nevertheless, there are no unambiguous recommendations regarding the most effective way to manage the level of BA as an element of the treatment and prevention of obesity.