Beneficial effects of probiotic supplementation (<i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i> Dad-13) on body weight, liver function, and liver histopathological features in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) model Sprague-Dawley rats

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent liver disorder characterized by hepatic fat accumulation unrelated to alcohol consumption, with its prevalence rising alongside obesity rates. The gut-liver axis reveals that gut microbiota and metabolites significantly impact NAFLD development and progression. This study aimed to investigate the effects of probiotic <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i> Dad-13 on body weight, liver function, and histopathological features in a rat model of NAFLD. The experimental protocol involved administering probiotic <i>L. plantarum</i> Dad-13 at a dose of 3 × 10⁹ CFU/g over six weeks to rats with NAFLD induced by a high-fat and high-fructose (HFFr) diet. The results demonstrated significant reductions in body and liver weight, improved liver function (serum lipopolysaccharide binding protein, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels), and improved the non-alcoholic liver activity score in rats fed HFFr diets supplemented with probiotics. These findings suggest that supplementation with probiotic <i>L. plantarum</i> Dad-13 is a promising therapeutic intervention for NAFLD.