Butyric acid and tributyrin induce apoptosis in human hepatic tumour cells

The anti-colon cancer effect of dietary fibre results in part from its ferm entation into the short-chain fatty acid butyric acid (BA) by intestinal mi croflora. BA has potent anti-colon cancer properties owing to its ability t o induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells. The colon is not the only locatio n where BA may reach high concentrations, because dietary BA is rapidly abs orbed and transported to the liver. We have investigated whether BA could i nduce apoptosis in transformed human liver (Hep G2) cells. Hep G2 cells tre ated with BA displayed acetylated histones, increased DNA fragmentation and morphological features consistent with apoptosis. These biochemical featur es of BA-treated liver cells are identical to those of BA-treated colon cel ls. In addition, we investigated whether BA present in tributyrin, a triacy lglycerol more compatible for inclusion into colloidal lipid structures tha n BA, could also induce apoptosis in Hep G2 cells. Tributyrin induced DNA f ragmentation and morphological features characteristic of apoptotic cells i n Hep G2 cells. These results are a significant advance towards delivering BA via colloidal lipid particles to cancerous sites in vivo. This study sho wed that BA and tributyrin are potent apoptotic agents, and we suggest that sources of dietary BA, such as milk fat, may provide anti-liver cancer pro perties.