Analysis of Microbiota Changes Induced by Microencapsulated Sodium Butyrate in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The IBDMicro is an interventional, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. A novel oral formulation of butyrate contained in a lipophilic microcapsule, that provides extensive capacity for intestinal diffusion and facilitates slow release of the active ingredient will be used ("Butyrose" produced by SILA SRL, Italy). A proof-of-concept study has been already published in this context, and preliminary data showed that butyrate administration was able to change the gut microbiota of patients with IBD and IBS-D after 12 weeks of treatment, in association with the changes of intestinal inflammation indexes (fecal calprotectin). In keeping, investigators will assess the microbiota before and after the butyrate administration. Also, clinical data will be collected by using validated disease-specific questionnaires (Rome IV and clinical indexes for IBD). Quality of life will be also recorded. The analysis of intestinal microbiota will be carried out by collecting a fecal sample and analyzed with metagenomics techniques.