Effect of a probiotic on liver aminotransferases in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients: a double blind randomized clinical trial

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2011 Sep;15(9):1090-5.

Abstract

Objective: The present pilot trial was carried out to evaluate the effects of an acute treatment with a mixture containing 500 million of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus per day in patients with non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Research methods: A sample of 30 patients with NAFLD (diagnosed by liver biopsy) was enrolled and 28 patients were analyzed in a double blind randomized clinical trial. Patients were randomized to one of the following treatments during 3 months: group I, treated with one tablet per day with 500 million of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus and group II, treated with one placebo tablet (120 mg of starch).

Results: In group I, alanine amino transferase (ALT: 67.7 +/- 25.1 vs. 60.4 +/- 30.4 UI/L; p < 0.05), aspartate aminotransferase activity (AST: 41.3 +/- 15.5 vs. 35.6 +/- 10.4 UI/L; p < 0.05) and gammaglutamine transferase levels (gammaGT: 118.2 +/- 63.1 vs. 107.7 +/- 60.8 UI/L; p < 0.05) decreased. In group II, all liver function parameters remained unchanged (ALT: 60.7 +/- 32.1 vs. 64.8 +/- 35.5 UI/L; p < 0.05), aspartate aminotransferase activity (AST: 31.7 +/- 13.1 vs. 36.4 +/- 13.8 UI/L; ns) and gammaglutamine transferase levels (gammaGT: 82.1 +/- 55.1 vs. 83.6 +/- 65.3 UI/L; ns). Anthropometric parameters and cardiovascular risk factors remained unchanged after treatment in both groups.

Conclusion: A tablet of 500 million of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, with a randomized clinical design, improved liver aminotransferases levels in patients with NAFLD.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood*
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Biopsy
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Clinical Enzyme Tests*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Fatty Liver / diagnosis
  • Fatty Liver / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lactobacillus / growth & development
  • Liver / enzymology*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
  • Pilot Projects
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use*
  • Spain
  • Streptococcus thermophilus / growth & development
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase / blood*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase