Background Rapid influx of energy caused by fasting/refeeding repeatedly enhances fatty acid synthesis leading to triacylglycerol accumulation and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increasing the risk of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Previous studies have reported that the ingestion of butyrate is effective at preventing hepatic disorders, which are accompanied by fat accumulation and inflammation. The aim of this study is to reveal the mechanism of action of butyrate, and thus we investigated the effects of dietary butyrate on the expressions of antioxidant enzymes in the livers of rats during refeeding following fasting. Methods Thirty-seven male rats were divided into six groups (6–7 animals per group): non-fasting, fasting, refeeding with a high sucrose diet as control for 12 or 24 h, and refeeding with a high sucrose diet containing 5% sodium butyrate (NaB) for 12 or 24 h. All groups except the non-fasting group were fasted for 72 h before refeeding. Statistical analysis was conducted among 4 refeeding groups (refeeding with the control diet for 12 or 24 h, and refeeding with a diet containing NaB for 12 or 24 h). Results Supplementation with NaB significantly reduced ( p < 0.05) fatty acid synthase ( Fas ) gene expression and increased the expression of the carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1α ( Cpt1a ) gene, resulting in reduced triacylglycerol content in the livers of rats refed the NaB diet compared with controls at 24 h after the start of refeeding. The mRNA levels of the genes related to glutathione synthesis were significantly higher ( p < 0.05) in the livers of the butyrate group than the control group. In addition, the mRNA level of Foxo3a , a transcription factor that regulates the expressions of antioxidant enzymes, was higher in the butyrate group than controls. The acetylation levels of histone H4 around the Foxo3a gene tended to be increased ( p = 0.055) by refeeding with the NaB diet. Conclusion NaB supplementation in the diet for refeeding reduced the rate of lipid synthesis and stimulated fatty acid oxidation in the liver, which inhibited fat accumulation and the risk of NASH. The transcriptional regulation of Foxo3a involves histone acetylation around the gene.