Beneficial Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum Strains on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in High Fat/High Fructose Diet-Fed Rats

Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests that probiotics are beneficial in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to explore the effects of two Lactobacillus plantarum strains, ATG-K2 and ATG-K6 (isolated from Korean fermented cabbage), in a rat model of high fat/high fructose (HF/HF) diet-induced NAFLD. Rats with NAFLD were randomized into four groups (HF/HF diet control, (HC); HF/HF diet with silymarin, (PC); HF/HF diet with ATG-K2, (K2); and HF/HF diet with ATG-K6, (K6)) with healthy rats on a normal diet serving as the negative control. After treatment, histopathological and biochemical analyses of the blood and liver tissue were conducted. In addition, fecal microbiota was analyzed using the MiSeq platform. Compared with HC rats, K2 and K6 rats experienced significantly lower body weight gain, displayed decreased hepatic lipid accumulation, had lower serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and showed increased antioxidant enzyme activities. Moreover, de novo lipogenesis-related genes were downregulated following K2 and K6 administration. The fecal microbiota of K2 and K6 rats contained a higher proportion of Bacteriodetes and a lower proportion of Fimicutes than that of HC rats. Taken together, our results suggest that L. plantarum strains ATG-K2 and ATG-K6 are potential therapeutic agents for NAFLD.Nutrients 2020, 12, 542 2 of 16 of the transcription factors, such as sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), which in turn regulate the expression of hepatic gluconeogenesis and DNL genes [6]. It follows that fructose intake increases liver gluconeogenesis and DNL and elevates blood glucose and TG levels in humans [8,9] Another cause of NAFLD is oxidative stress. Fat deposition occurring in the liver results in lipid peroxidation, and it promotes a variety of responses such as inflammation and fibrosis. Thus, antioxidants (e.g., silymarin, vitamin E) are proposed as candidates for NAFLD treatment [10,11]; however, there are no standard pharmacological therapeutic agents for NAFLD yet. Recently, emerging evidence suggests that the gut-liver axis is strongly related to NAFLD. There are several reports published clinical trials applying probiotics on NAFLD patients [12]. Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophiles treatment improved liver aminotransferases levels in adult NAFLD patients [13]. In addition, probiotic capsules containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, as a supplement also decreased liver aminotransferases levels in obese children with NAFLD [14]. These results indicate that the intake of certain probiotics has a beneficial effect on NAFLD.Lactobacillus plantarum, which plays a key role in the production of various fermented foods, is one of the most important species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). L. plantarum is found in diverse environments, such as the soil and the human gut, and is considered a potential pro...

Lactobacillus plantarum ATG-K2 and ATG-K6 Ameliorates High-Fat with High-Fructose Induced Intestinal Inflammation

“…In this study, the HFHF diet increased expression of lipogenesis markers FAS and SREBP-1c in the small intestine compared to the normal-diet rats. Oral treatment with L. plantarum ATG-K2 and ATG-K6 reduced expression of these markers in the small intestine, confirming previous findings that L. plantarum ATG-K2 and ATG-K6 affect the liver [ 32 ]. Accumulating evidence has revealed that administration of lactobacilli reduces obesity and decreases the inflammatory response of the small intestine by lactobacilli, though the underlying mechanisms are still not understood.…”

Gut Microbiota Metabolites in NAFLD Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Implications

“…Li et al (2014) also showed that L. plantarum NCU116 reduced hepatic fat accumulation and improved liver function as well as decreased endotoxemia in a high-fat-diet-induced NAFLD model. In a rat model of NAFLD induced by high-fat/high-fructose diet, Park et al (2020) showed that Lactobacillus plantarum strains ATG-K2 and ATG-K6 reduced body weight gain, decreased hepatic lipid accumulation, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase and lower lipogenesis gene expression [ 78 ]. In faecal samples, there were higher proportions of Bacteroidetes and lower Firmicutes.…”

Novel Lactobacillus reuteri HI120 Affects Lipid Metabolism in C57BL/6 Obese Mice

“…The cholesterol level in the plasma of a high-fat-induced atherosclerosis animal model was decreased by administration of a lactobacillus-rich diet (9). Two strains of Lactobacillus plantarum, ATG-K2 and ATG-K6, can significantly reduce body weight, liver fat accumulation, and related gene expression in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rat models generated by a high-fat/high-fructose diet (10). Thus, certain probiotics may be useful as biological agents for preventing and controlling lipid metabolism-related diseases.…”