Acute pancreatitis, a sudden inflammation of the pancreas, typically results in most patients recovering within a few days with sufficient fluids and pain medication. However, some individuals may experience severe complications, such as organ failure or infections.  

Currently, there is no effective treatment to prevent these complications. With the Starting Grant, Fons van den Berg aims to research the potential of a nutritional supplement called tributyrin as a treatment to prevent infections in patients with acute pancreatitis.  

Butyrate deficiency 

Fons: ‘When tributyrin breaks down in the gastrointestinal tract, it releases butyrate, a fatty acid normally produced by beneficial intestinal bacteria. Our group recently demonstrated that the stool of patients with acute pancreatitis contains fewer of these bacteria, indicating a deficiency of butyrate in these patients. 

Previous studies have shown that butyrate has a beneficial effect on gut health and the immune response. We believe that supplementing butyrate can restore this deficiency, preventing infections and promoting faster recovery in patients.’ 

Improved treatment 

In his research, Fons examines the effects of butyrate in patients with acute pancreatitis who receive tributyrin or a placebo. Blood and stool samples are collected before and after the treatment.  

The analyses will determine whether supplementation increases the butyrate concentration and/or alters intestinal bacteria in the stool. Additionally, the integrity of the intestinal wall and effects on the immune response will be investigated. Hopefully, these results will contribute to an improved treatment and outcome for patients with acute pancreatitis in the future. 

New call in 2024 

The next call for the AUF Starting Grant will be launched in 2024, probably in spring. Interested young scientists can find additional information on this website (will be updated this spring). Contact address: rs-startstipendium@amsterdamumc.nl.