Probiotics Supplemented with Omega-3 Fatty Acids are More Effective for Hepatic Steatosis Reduction in an Animal Model of Obesity.

Key Findings

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) refers to a group of conditions where there is accumulation of excess fat in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol. The most common form is a non serious condition called fatty liver. The results of this study demonstrated more pronounced reduction in hepatic steatosis and hepatic lipid accumulation after treatment with combination of live probiotics and 1.5 % omega-3 fed as flaxseed oil as compared to probiotic alone. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are beneficial for overall health, especially the digestive system. They are often referred to as “helpful” bacteria. In this research, both probiotics and their combination with omega-3 equally attenuated inflammation. This was confirmed by the decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines and an activation of the anti-inflammatory system. The study showed an increase in lactobacilli and bifidobacteria and reduction in Gram-negative bacteria with the probiotic and omega-3 supplement.

ABSTRACT

Today probiotics have been suggested as a treatment for the prevention of NAFLD. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may have beneficial effects in regulating hepatic lipid metabolism, adipose tissue function and inflammation. The present study was designed to determine whether probiotics plus omega-3 are superior to probiotics alone on the monosodium glutamate (MSG)-induced NAFLD model in rats. We included 60 rats divided into four groups, 15 animals in each. Rats of group I were intact. Newborn rats of groups II-IV were injected with MSG. The III (Symbiter) group received 2.5 ml/kg of multiprobiotic “Symbiter” containing concentrated biomass of 14 probiotic bacteria genera. The IV (Symbiter-Omega) groups received “Symbiter-Omega” combination of probiotic biomass supplemented with flax and wheat germ oil (250 mg of each, concentration of omega-3 fatty acids 1-5 %). In both interventional groups reduction in total NAS score was observed. Supplementation of alive probiotic mixture with omega-3 fatty acids lead to 20 % higher decrease in steatosis score (0.73 ± 0.11 vs 0.93 ± 0.22, p = 0.848) and reduction by 16.6 % of triglycerides content in liver as compared to probiotic alone. Our study demonstrated more pronounced reduction in hepatic steatosis and hepatic lipid accumulation after treatment with combination of alive probiotics and omega-3 as compared to probiotics alone.