molecules Review The Protective Role of Butyrate against Obesity and Obesity-Related Diseases Serena Coppola 1,2,† , Carmen Avagliano 3,†, Antonio Calignano 3 and Roberto Berni Canani 1,2,4,5,* 1 Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
[email protected] 2 ImmunoNutriton Lab at CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy 3 Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
[email protected] (C.A.);
[email protected] (A.C.) 4 European Laboratory for the Investigation of Food Induced Diseases (ELFID), University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy 5 Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +39-081-7462680 † These authors contributed equally to this work. Abstract: Worldwide obesity is a public health concern that has reached pandemic levels. Obesity is the major predisposing factor to comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The common forms of obesity are multifactorial and derive from a complex interplay of environmental changes and the individual genetic predispo- sition. Increasing evidence suggest a pivotal role played by alterations of gut microbiota (GM) that could represent the causative link between environmental factors and onset of obesity. The beneficial effects of GM are mainly mediated by the secretion of various metabolites. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate, propionate and butyrate are small organic metabolites produced by fermentation Citation: Coppola, S.; Avagliano, C.; Calignano, A.; Berni Canani, R. The of dietary fibers and resistant starch with vast beneficial effects in energy metabolism, intestinal Protective Role of Butyrate against homeostasis and immune responses regulation.