Lactobacillus caseistrain Shirota protects against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis development in a rodent model

Abstract

Gut microbiota alterations are associated with various disorders. In this study, gut microbiota changes were investigated in a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) rodent model, and the effects of administering Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) on the development of NASH were also investigated. Mice were divided into three groups, given the normal chow diet (NCD), MCD diet, or the MCD diet plus daily oral administration of LcS for 6 wk. Gut microbiota analyses for the three groups revealed that lactic acid bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in feces were markedly reduced by the MCD diet. Interestingly, oral administration of LcS to MCD diet-fed mice increased not only the L. casei subgroup but also other lactic acid bacteria. Subsequently, NASH development was evaluated based on hepatic histochemical findings, serum parameters, and various mRNA and/or protein expression levels. LcS intervention markedly suppressed MCD-diet-induced NASH development, with reduced serum lipopolysaccharide concentrations, suppression of inflammation and fibrosis in the liver, and reduced colon inflammation. Therefore, reduced populations of lactic acid bacteria in the colon may be involved in the pathogenesis of MCD diet-induced NASH, suggesting normalization of gut microbiota to be effective for treating NASH.

Mosapride citrate improves nonalcoholic steatohepatitis with increased fecal lactic acid bacteria and plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 level in a rodent model

“…The ratios of each bacterial subgroup to total bacteria are shown in Fig. 5, B and C. Calculations of the relative abundance of each strain indicated that the ratios of lactic acid bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, in feces were markedly lower in the MCD than in the NCD-fed group, whereas the ratios of the Bacteroides fragilis group and Enterococcus were higher, as we reported previously (31). Interestingly, the reduction in lactic acid bacteria in the MCD diet group was reversed in the MCD plus MC group.…”

“…5). Levels of lactic acid bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium, were reportedly lower in NASH patients than in healthy subjects (43), and our group and others have shown prebiotics or probiotics such as lactic acid bacteria to ameliorate NASH development with decreased endotoxemia (23,31). Taking these prior reports into consideration, the favorable effect of MC might be attributable to increased lactic acid bacteria in the gut.…”

“…Histological evaluations were performed employing the histological scoring system for NAFLD (21). Colon sections were immunohistochemically stained with NFBp65 antibody, and the positive cells were counted as previously described (31).…”

“…After 6 wk, immediately postdefecation, fecal samples were collected and gut microbiota analyses were performed and the total bacterial count was expressed as the sum of the identified bacteria as previously described. (25,31).…”

Updates on Dietary Models of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Current Studies and Insights

“…Four studies showed that mice fed an MCD diet for as few as 2 weeks but up to 7 weeks developed no change or had decreased levels of serum triglycerides, cholesterol, and glucose 27,37,38,44 . In contrast, in a study by Kim et al mice that were fed an MCD diet for 4 weeks developed elevated serum triglycerides and total cholesterol levels 22 .…”