Tributyrin supplement and its effects on blood sugar and appetite in overweight adults
Tests tributyrin versus placebo on blood sugar and hunger in overweight adults.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: The Metabolic Effects of Oral Tributyrin Administration
Key facts
- Where
- Aarhus N, DenmarkSee the site
Where in Denmark
- SDCA / Medical Research LaboratoryAarhus N, DenmarkTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Aarhus
- Trial code
- NCT07463495
- Record updated
- 16 March 2026
- Original description
The goal of this double-blinded randomized clinical cross-over trial is to investigate the metabolic and appetite regulating effects of oral tributyrin (a butyrate pro-drug) administration vs placebo.Read full original descriptionShow less
The Metabolic Effects of Oral Tributyrin Administration in Overweight/Obese Individuals
The goal of this double-blinded randomized clinical cross-over trial is to investigate the metabolic and appetite regulating effects of oral tributyrin (a butyrate pro-drug) administration vs placebo.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does tributyrin have glucose lowering properties in humans? * Does tributyrin reduce appetite in humans?
A sample size calculation estimated a minimum of 10 participants. We expect to include 12 participants in this study. Tributyrin or placebo is ingested once or twice daily for 2x2 weeks, separated by a washout period of minimum 2 weeks. On trial day following each 2-week period we assess:
* Postprandial blood sugar levels * Hunger sensations (questionnaire) * Enteroendocrine hormone secretion (GLP-1, GIP, PYY, LEAP2, ghrelin) * Cardiac function (echocardiography) - An exploratory study evaluating the hemodynamic effects assessed by echocardiography is anticipated to be published separately. * Caloric intake (ad libitum meal test) * Gastric emptying rate (acetaminophen test) * Resting metabolic rate (indirect calorimetry).
While at home, subjects will wear a sleep monitoring device for three consecutive nights and deliver fecal samples for analysis of short-chain fatty acid content and microbiota composition.
Inclusion: A body mass index (BMI) between 30-45 kg/m2; Older than 18 years of age; HbA1c < 48 mmol/mol; Hemoglobin within normal range (females: 7.3-9.5 mmol/L, males: 8.3-10.5 mmol/L); Written and oral consent to participate.
Exclusion: Ongoing cancer or other acute/chronic serious diseases (determined by PI); Medications affecting glucose metabolism and/or appetite (e.g. insulin, metformin, GLP-1 analogues); Special diet (HCLF, ketogenic diets, vegan/vegetarian); Inability to understand Danish or English; Abnormal blood samples at screening visit (determined by PI and co-investigators); Deemed unsuitable to participate by the PI and co-investigators.