Lactobacillus plantarum ZY08 relieves chronic alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and liver injury in mice via restoring intestinal flora homeostasis

This present study was designed to test the protective role of two Lactobacillus plantarum strains, E680 and ZY08, against alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in C57BL/6 mice. The ALD mouse model was established by exposing the mice to a Lieber-DeCarli ethanol liquid diet. The two probiotic strains (10(9) cfu/day) were administered by oral gavage, respectively. Our data showed that L. plantarum ZY08, but not E680, intervention significantly mitigated alcohol-related hepatic steatosis, liver injury, intestinal barrier, and it alleviated plasma endotoxin (LPS) levels, and affected hepatic genes relating to lipid metabolism. Furthermore, Lactobacillus plantarum ZY08 effectively restored intestinal flora homeostasis via recovering flora abundance, including Blautia, Oscillibacter, Lachnoclostridium and Intestimonas, and consequently elevated intestinal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content. More importantly, removing intestinal microorganisms through ABX gavage markedly abolished the beneficial aspects of Lactobacillus plantarum ZY08, indicating that the regulative role of Lactobacillus plantarum ZY08 contributed to its protective role against ALD. Overall, Lactobacillus plantarum ZY08 is a potential candidate for mitigating alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and liver injury.

Automated summary

This study found that Lactobacillus plantarum ZY08 plays a protective role against alcoholic liver disease (ALD) by improving hepatic steatosis, liver injury, and intestinal barrier. It also reduces plasma endotoxin levels and affects hepatic genes related to lipid metabolism. Additionally, Lactobacillus plantarum ZY08 restores intestinal flora homeostasis and increases short-chain fatty acid content, promoting intestinal health. These findings suggest that Lactobacillus plantarum ZY08 has potential in mitigating alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and liver injury.