Butyricicoccus

Butyricicoccus is a genus of anaerobic bacteria that lives in close proximity to the mucous tissue in the human gut. These bacteria are known for their ability to produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid which is essential for maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal tract.¹

**Roles of Butyricicoccus species in human health**

Butyrate production: One of the most critical roles of Butyricicoccus is the production of butyrate, which nourishes the cells of the colon and helps maintain the integrity of the gut lining.²³
Anti-inflammatory properties: Butyrate producers help down-regulate inflammation by inhibiting the growth of pathogens, increasing mucosal barrier integrity, encouraging obligate anaerobic bacterial dominance and decreasing oxygen availability in the gut.⁴ Alterations in inflammatory mediators that occur as a result of changes in gut microbiota are among the many factors contributing to the development of diarrhoea-predominant IBS (IBS-D).⁵ Interestingly, people living with constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C) tend to have higher levels of Butyricicoccus than those living with the diarrhoea-predominant type (IBS-D).⁶ Additionally, people living with ulcerative colitis tend to have a lower abundance of Butyricicoccus in their gut compared to healthy individuals.⁷
Immune modulation: Although this area is still under active research, some clinical evidence suggests that Butyricicoccus may play a role in regulating the immune system, thus contributing to general gut health.⁸⁹

Best sources of Butyricicoccus

Butyricicoccus species naturally inhabit the human gut and can be promoted by a fibre-rich diet. No food sources of Butyricicoccus are available at present. Specialised Butyricicoccus probiotic supplements based on Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum are currently being investigated.¹⁰¹¹¹²

**What foods can Butyricicoccus feed on?**

Butyricicoccus species appear to thrive on a polyphenol-rich diet, particularly on green tea and cocoa polyphenols.¹³ Additionally, the consumption of barley, a whole grain rich in soluble fibre and beta-glucans, is directly correlated with the abundance of Butyricicoccus.¹⁴

**Where to find Butyricicoccus in the Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test**

You will find your Butyricicoccus score in the “Butyrate” section of the “Postbiotics” report in your Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test results.

Synonyms: Butyricicoccus species don’t have any well-recognised synonyms, but they are often categorised with other butyrate-producing bacteria when discussed in the context of gut health.

Important disclaimer

The Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Handbook is an educational resource built to translate complex science into plain English. The information provided on this page is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Always check with your GP for interactions.

References

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Takada T, Watanabe K, Makino H, Kushiro A. Reclassification of Eubacterium desmolans as Butyricicoccus desmolans comb. nov., and description of Butyricicoccus faecihominis sp. nov., a butyrate-producing bacterium from human faeces. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2016 Oct;66(10):4125-4131. doi: 10.1099/ijsem.0.001323.
2
Duncan SH, Louis P, Flint HJ. Lactate-utilizing bacteria, isolated from human feces, that produce butyrate as a major fermentation product. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2004 Oct;70(10):5810-7. doi: 10.1128/AEM.70.10.5810-5817.2004.
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Allen-Vercoe E, Daigneault M, White A, Panaccione R, Duncan SH, Flint HJ, O’Neal L, Lawson PA. Anaerostipes hadrus comb. nov., a dominant species within the human colonic microbiota; reclassification of Eubacterium hadrum Moore et al. 1976. Anaerobe. 2012 Oct;18(5):523-9. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2012.09.002.
4
Butyrate can down-regulate inflammation by inhibiting the growth of pathobionts, increasing mucosal barrier integrity, encouraging obligate anaerobic bacterial dominance and decreasing oxygen availability in the gut.⁴Chen J, Vitetta L. The Role of Butyrate in Attenuating Pathobiont-Induced Hyperinflammation. Immune Netw. 2020 Feb 4;20(2):e15. doi: 10.4110/in.2020.20.e15.
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Lacy BE. Diagnosis and treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Int J Gen Med. 2016 Feb 11;9:7-17. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S93698.
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Matsumoto H, Shiotani A, Katsumata R, Fukushima S, Handa Y, Osawa M, Murao T, Handa O, Umegaki E, Inoue R, Naito Y. Mucosa-Associated Microbiota in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Comparison of Subtypes. Digestion. 2021;102(1):49-56. doi: 10.1159/000512167.
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BDevriese S, Eeckhaut V, Geirnaert A, Van den Bossche L, Hindryckx P, Van de Wiele T, Van Immerseel F, Ducatelle R, De Vos M, Laukens D. Reduced Mucosa-associated Butyricicoccus Activity in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis Correlates with Aberrant Claudin-1 Expression. J Crohns Colitis. 2017 Feb;11(2):229-236. doi: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjw142.
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Chang SC, Shen MH, Liu CY, Pu CM, Hu JM, Huang CJ. A gut butyrate-producing bacterium Butyricicoccus pullicaecorumregulates short-chain fatty acid transporter and receptor to reduce the progression of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-associated colorectal cancer. Oncol Lett. 2020 Dec;20(6):327. doi: 10.3892/ol.2020.12190.
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Steppe M, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Vercauteren G, Boyen F, Eeckhaut V, Deforce D, Haesebrouck F, Ducatelle R, Van Immerseel F. Safety assessment of the butyrate-producing Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum strain 25-3(T), a potential probiotic for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, based on oral toxicity tests and whole genome sequencing. Food Chem Toxicol. 2014 Oct;72:129-37. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2014.06.024.
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Boesmans L, Valles-Colomer M, Wang J, Eeckhaut V, Falony G, Ducatelle R, Van Immerseel F, Raes J, Verbeke K. Butyrate Producers as Potential Next-Generation Probiotics: Safety Assessment of the Administration of Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum to Healthy Volunteers. mSystems. 2018 Nov 6;3(6):e00094-18. doi: 10.1128/mSystems.00094-18.
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Eeckhaut V, Ducatelle R, Sas B, Vermeire S, Van Immerseel F. Progress towards butyrate-producing pharmabiotics: Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum capsule and efficacy in TNBS models in comparison with therapeutics. Gut. 2014 Feb;63(2):367. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-305293.
12
Wang YC, Ku WC, Liu CY, Cheng YC, Chien CC, Chang KW, Huang CJ. Supplementation of Probiotic Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum Mediates Anticancer Effect on Bladder Urothelial Cells by Regulating Butyrate-Responsive Molecular Signatures. Diagnostics (Basel). 2021 Dec 4;11(12):2270. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics11122270.
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Peron G, Gargari G, Meroño T, Miñarro A, Lozano EV, Escuder PC, González-Domínguez R, Hidalgo-Liberona N, Del Bo’ C, Bernardi S, Kroon PA, Carrieri B, Cherubini A, Riso P, Guglielmetti S, Andrés-Lacueva C. Crosstalk among intestinal barrier, gut microbiota and serum metabolome after a polyphenol-rich diet in older subjects with “leaky gut”: The MaPLE trial. Clin Nutr. 2021 Oct;40(10):5288-5297. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2021.08.027.
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Matsuoka T, Hosomi K, Park J, Goto Y, Nishimura M, Maruyama S, Murakami H, Konishi K, Miyachi M, Kawashima H, Mizuguchi K, Kobayashi T, Yokomichi H, Kunisawa J, Yamagata Z. Relationships between barley consumption and gut microbiome characteristics in a healthy Japanese population: a cross-sectional study. BMC Nutr. 2022 Mar 14;8(1):23. doi: 10.1186/s40795-022-00500-3.