Hepatoprotective Effects of Aureobasidium pullulans Derived ? 1,3-1,6 Glucans in a Murine Model of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are highly prevalent conditions characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the liver, which can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma if left untreated. Conventional modalities are mainly symptomatic, with no defi- nite solution. Beta-glucan-based biological response modifiers are a potential strategy in lieu of their beneficial metabolic effects. Aureobasidium pullulans strains AFO-202 and N-163 beta-glucans were evaluated for anti -fibrotic and anti-inflammatory hepatoprotective potentials in a NASH animal model in this study. Methods: In the STAMTM murine model of NASH, five groups were studied for 8 weeks: (1) vehicle (RO water), (2) AFO-202 beta-glucan; (3) N-163 beta-glucan, (4) AFO-202+N-163 beta-glucan, and (5) telmisartan (standard pharmacolog-ical intervention). Evaluation of biochemical parameters in plasma and hepatic histology including Sirius red staining and F4/80 immunostaining were performed. Results: AFO-202 beta-glucan significantly decreased inflammation-associated hepatic cell ballooning and steatosis. N-163 beta-glucan decreased fibrosis and inflam-mation significantly (P value < 0.05). The combination of AFO-202 with N-163 significantly decreased the NAFLD Activity Score (NAS) compared with other groups. Conclusion: This preclinical study supports the potential of N-163 and AFO-202 beta-glucans alone or in combination as potential preventive and therapeutic agent(s), for NASH. (J CLIN EXP HEPATOL 2022;12:1428-1437)

Automated summary

This study evaluated the potential of AFO-202 and N-163 beta-glucans as anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory hepatoprotective agents in a NASH animal model. The results showed that AFO-202 significantly reduced inflammation-associated hepatic cell ballooning and steatosis, while N-163 significantly decreased fibrosis and inflammation. The combination of AFO-202 with N-163 significantly decreased the NAFLD Activity Score.