Effect of Probiotics Therapy on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Objective. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease in the world. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is complex and multifactorial. Clinical studies have shown that alterations in the gut microbiota play a key role in NAFLD. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of probiotic supplementation on the treatment of NAFLD patients based on various indicators. Methods. We conducted a meta-analysis investigating the relationship between NAFLD and probiotic supplementation. Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were searched by computer, and then, eligible studies were identified. Finally, a total of high-quality randomized controlled trials were selected involving 1403 participants. Meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.3 software which was systematically searched for works published through Dec. 1, 2021, in the present study. Results. The meta-analysis results showed that the probiotics supplementation improved hepatocyte injury and significantly reduced the level of ALT ( P = 0.00001 ), AST ( P = 0.0009 ), GGT ( P = 0.04 ), TG ( P = 0.01 ), LDL-C ( P = 0.0005 ), HDL-C ( P = 0.0002 ), insulin ( P = 0.003 ), IR ( P = 0.03 ), BMI ( P = 0.03 ), TNF-α ( P = 0.03 ), and CRP ( P = 0.02 ), respectively, in NAFLD patients. Conclusion. The present study suggests that probiotics therapy may improve liver enzyme levels, regulated lipid metabolism, reduced insulin resistance, and improved inflammation in NAFLD patients. It supports the potential role of probiotics supplementation in the treatment of NAFLD.

Probiotics for the improvement of metabolic profiles in patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…In our study, probiotic treatment had no significant effect on CRP and TNF-α. These are important indicators of the protective effect of probiotics on patients with MAFLD ( 48 – 50 ) The results of our study are not consistent with those of Pan ( 39 ), Khan ( 51 ), Gao ( 52 ), and Huang ( 53 ). In a meta-analysis, probiotic supplementation did not improve some measures of inflammation in patients with MAFLD ( 54 , 55 ).…”

Nutritional Approaches in Children with Overweight or Obesity and Hepatic Steatosis

“…Although the molecular mechanism of probiotics is still not completely understood, it is clear that they can be used in the treatment of NAFLD as they modulate the gut microbiota. They also improve intestinal mucosal permeability and inhibit the inflammatory response [149].…”

Supplementation of Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC14917 mitigates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in high-fat-diet-fed rats

“…Although there are some drugs with hypolipidemic effects that can improve the symptoms of NAFLD, they may be accompanied by adverse side effects ( Romero-Gomez et al, 2017 ; Neuschwander-Tetri, 2020 ). Increasing numbers of studies have demonstrated that probiotics can effectively reduce endotoxemia, improve gut barrier function, and may play a certain role in the treatment of NAFLD ( Wang et al, 2020 ; Ferguson and Finck, 2021 ; Luo et al, 2021 ; Ren et al, 2021 ; Huang et al, 2022 ). As the most studied probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus is an important member of the maintenance of microbial flora in the gut, and some strains have been widely used in the field of food and health and have been developed as probiotics ( Liang et al, 2020 ; Zhang et al, 2020 ; Lee et al, 2021 ; Yu et al, 2021 ; Zhu et al, 2021 ).…”