Impaired butyrate absorption in the proximal colon, low serum butyrate and diminished central effects of butyrate on blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We demonstrated a reduced availability of serum butyrate in the SHR, possibly due to diminished colonic absorption. Reduced expression of butyrate-sensing receptors in the SHR hypothalamus may explain the reduced central responsiveness to butyrate, indicating microbial butyrate may play a role in blood pressure regulation.