Administration of a probiotic supplement attenuates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by reducing hepatic lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation

Due to the requirement for a novel and effective treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), this study aimed to determine the effects of a novel supplement containing <i>Lactocaseibacillus zeae</i> and <i>Limosilactobacillus reuteri</i> on oxidative stress, inflammation, glucose and lipid metabolism, lipid accumulation, and liver function in the fructose-induced NAFLD rat model. To investigate the involvement of molecular pathways and validate a preclinical study, NAFLD was induced by feeding them fructose-containing drinking water (20% w/v) for 12 consecutive weeks. The fructose-induced male rats were administered a mixture of <i>L. zeae</i> TISTR 2529 and <i>L. reuteri</i> TISTR 2736 at a dose of 2 × 10⁸ CFU/mL during weeks 0 to 12, daily. Weight and food intake were recorded daily. The production of oxidative stress, expression of the TNF-α, SREBP-1c, liver enzymes, and lipid profiles, including the densities of lipid droplets in liver cells, were also evaluated. The results revealed that fructose-induced rats co-treated with the mixed probiotics had significantly decreased body weights, triglycerides, cholesterol, and liver enzymes. Furthermore, the expression of TNF-α, MDA, and SREBP-1c and the densities of lipid droplets in the liver tissue were reduced. Based on the results, the novel probiotic supplement containing <i>L. zeae</i> TISTR 2529 and <i>L. reuteri</i> TISTR 2736 might alleviate NAFLD by normalizing oxidative stress, inflammation, lipid metabolism, and lipid accumulation in the liver of NAFLD-induced model rats.