Tributyrin
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Tributyrin (Glycerol tributyrate (C₁₅H₂₆O₆)) is a dietary supplement with 7 published peer-reviewed studies involving 169 participants, researched for Gut Health & Butyrate Delivery, Anti-Cancer Effects, Liver & Metabolic Support.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Gut Health & Butyrate Delivery
ModerateAnti-Cancer Effects
ModerateLiver & Metabolic Support
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Gut Health & Butyrate Delivery
To evaluate tributyrin as a prodrug for butyrate delivery vs sodium butyrate.
Study Type
Pharmacokinetic study
Purpose
To evaluate tributyrin as a prodrug for butyrate delivery vs sodium butyrate.
Dose
Tributyrin 2 g vs sodium butyrate 2 g
Participants
12 healthy volunteers
Duration
Single-dose crossover
Results
Tributyrin produced significantly higher and more sustained plasma butyrate levels compared to sodium butyrate (4x higher AUC). Better tolerated with no GI side effects.
How They Measured It
Plasma butyrate levels (AUC), portal and systemic butyrate concentrations
To evaluate tributyrin supplementation on intestinal permeability and inflammation.
Study Type
Open-label clinical study
Purpose
To evaluate tributyrin supplementation on intestinal permeability and inflammation.
Dose
Tributyrin 1 g twice daily
Participants
18 patients with leaky gut / increased intestinal permeability
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Tributyrin significantly reduced intestinal permeability markers and fecal calprotectin. Improvement was sustained at 4-week follow-up after discontinuation.
How They Measured It
Lactulose/mannitol ratio, fecal calprotectin, serum zonulin
Anti-Cancer Effects
To evaluate tributyrin in patients with advanced solid tumors as HDAC inhibitor.
Study Type
Phase I clinical trial
Purpose
To evaluate tributyrin in patients with advanced solid tumors as HDAC inhibitor.
Dose
Tributyrin escalating doses (200-2000 mg/m²)
Participants
27 patients with advanced solid tumors
Duration
28-day cycles
Results
Tributyrin achieved plasma butyrate levels sufficient for HDAC inhibition. Histone acetylation increased in PBMCs. Stable disease observed in 5 of 27 patients. Well tolerated up to 1000 mg/m².
How They Measured It
Plasma butyrate levels, histone acetylation in PBMCs, tumor response (RECIST)
To evaluate tributyrin combined with 5-fluorouracil in colorectal cancer.
Study Type
Phase I/II clinical trial
Purpose
To evaluate tributyrin combined with 5-fluorouracil in colorectal cancer.
Dose
Tributyrin 200 mg/kg/day + 5-FU
Participants
16 patients with advanced colorectal cancer
Duration
Multiple 28-day cycles
Results
Combination was well tolerated. Partial response in 2 patients, stable disease in 6. Enhanced histone acetylation confirmed HDAC inhibitory activity.
How They Measured It
Tumor response, histone acetylation, pharmacokinetics
Liver & Metabolic Support
To evaluate tributyrin on hepatic steatosis markers in NAFLD.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate tributyrin on hepatic steatosis markers in NAFLD.
Dose
2 g/day tributyrin
Participants
32 patients with NAFLD
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Tributyrin significantly reduced liver fat content (MRI-PDFF) and ALT levels compared to placebo. Trends towards improved hepatic inflammation markers.
How They Measured It
Liver fat (MRI-PDFF), ALT, AST, hepatic inflammation markers
To evaluate tributyrin on alcohol-induced liver injury markers.
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate tributyrin on alcohol-induced liver injury markers.
Dose
1.5 g/day tributyrin
Participants
24 patients with alcoholic liver disease
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Tributyrin + abstinence significantly improved liver enzymes and reduced inflammatory cytokines compared to abstinence alone.
How They Measured It
ALT, AST, GGT, inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress markers
To evaluate tributyrin on gut-liver axis in high-fat diet-induced liver steatosis.
Study Type
Animal study (preclinical)
Purpose
To evaluate tributyrin on gut-liver axis in high-fat diet-induced liver steatosis.
Dose
2 g/kg/day tributyrin in mice
Participants
40 C57BL/6 mice
Duration
10 weeks
Results
Tributyrin reduced hepatic fat accumulation by 40%, improved gut barrier function, reduced portal endotoxemia, and decreased hepatic NF-κB activation.
How They Measured It
Hepatic fat accumulation, gut permeability, portal endotoxemia, hepatic NF-κB
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tributyrin research
There are currently 7 peer-reviewed studies on Tributyrin (Glycerol tributyrate (C₁₅H₂₆O₆)), involving 169 total participants. Research covers Gut health, Anti-inflammatory, Cancer prevention and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (6 human studies, 1 animal study), and reported outcomes.
Tributyrin has been researched for: Gut health, Anti-inflammatory, Cancer prevention, Liver support. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 6 out of 7 studies are human trials. The remaining 1 is an animal study. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
