A study of the prebiotic-like effects of tomato juice consumption in rats with diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Abstract

Gut microbiota may play a role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. We investigated whether tomato juice consumption for 5 weeks could ameliorate high-fat diet-induced alterations in certain intestinal bacterial groups and products arising from their metabolism (short-chain fatty acids and microbial phenolic catabolites). For this, we used a rat model with NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet, involving four experimental groups: NA (standard diet and water), NL (standard diet and tomato juice), HA (high-fat diet and water) and HL (high-fat diet and tomato juice). The onset of NAFLD impacted the gut microbiota profile, reducing the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus and increasing that of Enterobacteriaceae. Also, reduced concentrations of propionate, butyrate and phenolic catabolites and an increased acetate to propionate (Ac : Pr) ratio were observed. Tomato juice intake partially ameliorated high-fat diet-induced disturbances, particularly by increasing Lactobacillus abundance and diminishing the Ac : Pr ratio, suggesting a potential improvement of the metabolic pattern of NAFLD.

Lonicera caerulea L. Polyphenols Alleviate Oxidative Stress‐Induced Intestinal Environment Imbalance and Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Liver Injury in HFD‐Fed Rats by Regulating the Nrf2/HO‐1/NQO1 and MAPK Pathways

“…reported that the gut of HFD‐induced non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease rats exhibited a decreased abundance of Lactobacillus . [ 65 ] In this study, the supplementation of LCP or Vc significantly increased the abundance of these probiotics, which alleviats the OSD of the intestinal tract. Recently, several studies have reported that Akkermansia ( Akk .)…”

Associations between dietary total antioxidant capacity and odds of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults: a case–control study

“…The ability of other antioxidant-rich nutrients to increase plasma TAC and hence decrease risks of NAFLD through modifications of oxidative stress has been well documented. These nutrients include bayberry juice (33) , chocolate (34) , onion (35) , lettuce (36) and tomato products (37) . Findings have been verified even in supplementary interventions with antioxidants.…”

The Gut Microbiota and Its Metabolites, Novel Targets for Treating and Preventing Non‐Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

“…[113,114] Similarly, another study demonstrated that tomato juice ameliorates dietinduced liver dysfunction by regulating the content and structure of the gut microbiota. [115] NAFLD is always accompanied by a reduction in the abundance of beneficial intestinal bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and tomato juice reverses this change and might be a potential nutritional supplement to treat NAFLD. In several animal and clinical trials, vitamins D and E also showed potential effects on NAFLD/NASH prevention and therapy.…”