ButOx Human Trial: An Open Label Prospective Cohort Study to Investigate the Effect of Tributyrin (Butyrate Precursor Molecule) Supplementation on Markers of Calcium Oxalate Nephrolithiasis

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA · May 26, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The ButOx Human Trial is a study looking into whether a supplement called tributyrin can help prevent or treat kidney stones, which are hard deposits that can form in the kidneys. Research has shown that people with kidney stones often have a different balance of gut bacteria compared to healthy individuals, leading to lower levels of beneficial substances called short chain fatty acids. The trial will test if taking tributyrin can improve these levels and potentially reduce kidney stone formation.

To participate in this study, you need to be at least 19 years old and have a history of kidney stones made up of more than 80% calcium in the last three years. However, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those who have taken certain medications or have specific health conditions, will not be eligible. If you join the trial, you will be closely monitored to see how the supplement affects your kidney stone condition. The trial is not yet recruiting participants, but it's an important step to learn more about possible new treatments for kidney stones.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Age ≥ 19 years.
• • 2. History of nephrolithiasis, diagnosed with a kidney stone containing \>80% calcium (from stone analysis of spontaneously passed or surgically removed kidney stone) within the past 3 years
• • 3. Written informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Pregnant or lactating females
• • 2. Pharmacological therapy for stone disease over the last moth (aside from an increase in water intake)
• • 3. Antibiotic use in the last 3 months prior to the start of study procedures (start of baseline period)
• • 4. Subjects with comorbid conditions which may influence the microbiome or increase the risk of nephrolithiasis (inflammatory bowel diseases, bariatric surgery, active malignancy, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes mellitus, urinary tract obstruction, renal tubular acidosis)
• • 5. Chronic intestinal diseases, or bowel resection surgeries
• • 6. Inability to provide informed consent