Pharmacologic Substance
arginine butyrate Audio
ar·gi·nine bu·tyr·ate [ ar-jih-neen byoo-tuh-rayt ]
Definitions related to arginine butyrate:
  • A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • A compound composed of the short chain fatty acid (SCFA) butyrate combined with the amino acid arginine, with potential Epstein-Barr virus thymidine kinase gene (EBV-TK)-inducing activity. Upon administration, arginine butyrate induces the expression of thymidine kinase (TK). This activates a co-administered antiviral, such as ganciclovir, and results in the destruction of EBV-infected cancer cells. In addition, butyrate inhibits histone deacetylase (HDAC), which results in hyperacetylation of histones H3 and H4. Acetylated histones have a reduced affinity for chromatin; this reduced histone-chromatin affinity may allow chromosomal unfolding, potentially enhancing the expression of genes related to tumor cell growth arrest and apoptosis.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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