TY - JOUR

T1 - Impact of Synbiotic Intake on Liver Metabolism in Metabolically Healthy Participants and Its Potential Preventive Effect on Metabolic-Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD)

T2 - A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial

AU - Mantri, Aakash

AU - Köhlmoos, Anika

AU - Schelski, Daniela Stephanie

AU - Seel, Waldemar

AU - Stoffel-Wagner, Birgit

AU - Krawitz, Peter

AU - Stehle, Peter

AU - Holst, Jens Juul

AU - Weber, Bernd

AU - Koban, Leonie

AU - Plassmann, Hilke

AU - Simon, Marie Christine

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - Synbiotics modulate the gut microbiome and contribute to the prevention of liver diseases such as metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded seven-week intervention trial on the liver metabolism in 117 metabolically healthy male participants. Anthropometric data, blood parameters, and stool samples were analyzed using linear mixed models. After seven weeks of intervention, there was a significant reduction in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the synbiotic group compared to the placebo group (-14.92%, CI: -26.60--3.23%, p = 0.013). A stratified analysis according to body fat percentage revealed a significant decrease in ALT (-20.70%, CI: -40.88--0.53%, p = 0.045) in participants with an elevated body fat percentage. Further, a significant change in microbiome composition (1.16, CI: 0.06-2.25, p = 0.039) in this group was found, while the microbial composition remained stable upon intervention in the group with physiological body fat. The 7-week synbiotic intervention reduced ALT levels, especially in participants with an elevated body fat percentage, possibly due to modulation of the gut microbiome. Synbiotic intake may be helpful in delaying the progression of MAFLD and could be used in addition to the recommended lifestyle modification therapy.

AB - Synbiotics modulate the gut microbiome and contribute to the prevention of liver diseases such as metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded seven-week intervention trial on the liver metabolism in 117 metabolically healthy male participants. Anthropometric data, blood parameters, and stool samples were analyzed using linear mixed models. After seven weeks of intervention, there was a significant reduction in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the synbiotic group compared to the placebo group (-14.92%, CI: -26.60--3.23%, p = 0.013). A stratified analysis according to body fat percentage revealed a significant decrease in ALT (-20.70%, CI: -40.88--0.53%, p = 0.045) in participants with an elevated body fat percentage. Further, a significant change in microbiome composition (1.16, CI: 0.06-2.25, p = 0.039) in this group was found, while the microbial composition remained stable upon intervention in the group with physiological body fat. The 7-week synbiotic intervention reduced ALT levels, especially in participants with an elevated body fat percentage, possibly due to modulation of the gut microbiome. Synbiotic intake may be helpful in delaying the progression of MAFLD and could be used in addition to the recommended lifestyle modification therapy.

KW - ALT

KW - gut–liver axis

KW - MAFLD

KW - metabolic healthy participant

KW - microbiome

KW - prevention

KW - randomized controlled trial

KW - synbiotics

U2 - 10.3390/nu16091300

DO - 10.3390/nu16091300

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 38732547

AN - SCOPUS:85192890527

VL - 16

JO - Nutrients

JF - Nutrients

SN - 2072-6643

IS - 9

M1 - 1300

ER -