Saccharomyces boulardii Mitigates Fructose-Induced Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver in Rats

<i>Background and Objectives:</i> Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing global health concern closely linked to metabolic disorders, including obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. Emerging evidence suggests that the gut-liver axis plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, with recent research highlighting the influence of gut microbiota, including fungal species such as Saccharomyces boulardii (<i>S. boulardii</i>). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of <i>S. boulardii</i> on lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in a rat model of fructose-induced NAFLD. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> Thirty Wistar rats were divided into three groups: a control group, a fatty liver group induced by 35% fructose supplementation, and a treatment group receiving <i>S. boulardii</i> (100 mg/kg/day) after fructose induction. <i>Results:</i> Biochemical analyses revealed that the treatment group exhibited significantly lower plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total triglycerides, and cholesterol compared to the untreated fatty liver group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Furthermore, liver tissue analysis showed a marked reduction in lipid accumulation and fatty infiltration in the treatment group, with no visible lipid vacuoles in hepatocytes. The expression of aquaporin-8 (AQP8) and sirtuin-1 (SIRT1), key markers associated with hepatocyte function and lipid metabolism, was significantly higher in the <i>S. boulardii</i> group compared to the fatty liver group (<i>p</i> < 0.001). <i>Conclusions:</i> These findings indicate that <i>S. boulardii</i> supplementation mitigates the metabolic and oxidative stress-related alterations associated with fructose-induced NAFLD. In conclusion, our study suggests that <i>S. boulardii</i> exerts protective effects on the liver by reducing lipid accumulation and oxidative stress, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic intervention for NAFLD.