Sodium Butyrate, A Gut Microbiota Derived Metabolite in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular Disease: A Review

Cardiovasc Hematol Agents Med Chem. 2025;23(1):1-10. doi: 10.2174/0118715257307380240820052940.

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Sodium butyrate, the sodium salt of the short-chain fatty acid butyric acid produced by gut microbiota fermentation, has shown promising effects on metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Sodium butyrate demonstrates anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and lipid-lowering properties and can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce hepatic steatosis. In this review, we investigate how sodium butyrate influences cardiovascular complications of type 2 diabetes, including atherosclerosis (AS), heart failure (HF), hypertension, and angiogenesis. Moreover, we explore the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes, focusing on hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, and genetic factors playing crucial roles. The review suggests that sodium butyrate can be a potential preventive and therapeutic agent for cardiovascular complications in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes; cardiovascular disease; fermentation; hyperglycemia.; microbiota; sodium butyrate.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Butyric Acid* / metabolism
  • Butyric Acid* / pharmacology
  • Butyric Acid* / therapeutic use
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / metabolism
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome* / drug effects
  • Humans

Substances

  • Butyric Acid