Physiological effects of sodium-butyrate in calves

In a paper recently published (Journal of Endocrinology (2011) 211, 241–248), Kato et al. reported an experiment in which pre-weaning calves were given a milk replacer supplemented with sodium butyrate (Gustor B-90) for 6 weeks to investigate the effects on postprandial changes in the plasma concentrations of metabolic hormones, and, at the same time, on growth performance, the weight of the digestive organs and rumen papilla development. It was observed that feeding calves with a milk replacer resulted in elevated plasma concentrations of GH and insulin as well as the glucose level, but the non-esterified fatty acid concentration was reduced. Supplementation with Gustor prevented the increase in plasma insulin and GH concentrations, and the plasma IGF1 level was not changed. At the same time, the length of the rumen papilla and the weight of the perirenal fat tended to increase in the calves given a milk replacer containing Gustor, but the weight of their liver, spleen, and stomach were not different. Calves receiving sodium butyrate in their diets had a better weight gain, although the differences were not significant (probably due to a too small number of animals). The authors concluded that the better growth performance related to the intake of sodium butyrate (as reported earlier in several species) is partly due to improved insulin sensitivity and a better digestive functional development. So, in this way, butyrate could be a good candidate for preventing metabolic diseases in animals and also for human nutrition