Isobutyric acid pretreatment significantly downregulated pro-inflammatory gene expression (IL-1β, TNF-α, NLRP3, and ASC) while upregulating tight junction components (occludin, claudin-1, and zo-1), demonstrating its protective role against DSS-induced colitis (Fig. 7G and H). The gene discussed is NLRP3; the disease is colitis.