Comparative analysis of preventive role of different probiotics and prebiotics against the markers of liver damage, oxidative stress markers and inflammatory markers in the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induced rats

The current research was conducted to investigate and compare the role of functional foods such as probiotics and prebiotics alone or in combinations on the markers of liver damage, oxidative stress markers and inflammatory markers in the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced rats. According to the results, G(3), G(4) and G(6) gained significant weight at the end of the study. Moreover, the weights of different organs (liver, Spleen and kidney) revealed that G1 (control negative) fed on a standard diet gained the lowest liver weight, G2 (control positive) fed on high fat diet (HFD) gained maximum weight (9.63 +/- 0.46 g). In addition, the symbiotic group (G8) lowered the liver organ weight (6.77 +/- 0.20 g), indicating that HFD induced fat deposition in body and other body organs. Furthermore, results of serum liver function markers were concerned, Maximum reduction of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was found among the G(8) (Probiotics, GOS and Inulin) and G(4) (GOS). Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was significantly reduced among all the treatments compared to the control positive. Alkaline phosphate (ALP) was reduced among G(5), G(6) and G(7). Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) remained unaffected during the trial. As far as the results of tumor necrotic factor (TNF) were concerned, probiotics and GOS groups had a significant reduction in the levels of TNF after 19 weeks of study. Upon the prebiotics and probiotics therapy, a strong association was found with the hepatic inflammation at various degrees and hepatic and portal inflammation was reduced among the symbiotic groups significantly (Chi-square value = 49.04**; P-value = 0.000; ** = Highly significant (P < .01). Overall histopathological analysis revealed reduction in the fatty vacuoles and inflammation in the treatment groups compared to control in hepatocytes. The progression of fibrosis was also reduced among the treatment groups. Conclusively, the biomarkers of NAFLD were reduced among the treatment groups compared to the control positive.

Automated summary

The current research investigated the effects of functional foods such as probiotics and prebiotics alone or in combinations on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rats. The results showed that these functional foods can reduce liver damage markers, oxidative stress markers, and inflammatory markers, as well as decrease fat deposition and inflammation in the liver. The biomarkers of NAFLD were reduced among the treatment groups compared to the control positive.