AUTHOR=Cao Feiwei , Ding Qinchao , Zhuge Hui , Lai Shanglei , Chang Kaixin , Le Chunyan , Yang Guorong , Valencak Teresa G. , Li Songtao , Ren Daxi 

TITLE=Lactobacillus plantarum ZJUIDS14 alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice in association with modulation in the gut microbiota

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nutrition

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.1071284

DOI=10.3389/fnut.2022.1071284

ISSN=2296-861X

ABSTRACT=<p>This present study was designed to explore the protective role of <italic>Lactobacillus plantarum</italic> ZJUIDS14 against Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in a high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced C57BL/6 mice model. The probiotic (10<sup>9</sup> CFU/every other day) was administered by oral gavage for 12 weeks. We found that <italic>L. plantarum</italic> ZJUIDS14 intervention significantly alleviated HFD related hepatic steatosis, liver damage, insulin resistance, and increased hepatic expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPAR-α) while stimulating the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Furthermore, <italic>L. plantarum</italic> ZJUIDS14 improved mitochondrial function as reflected by an increase in dynamin related protein 1 (DRP1) and a decrease of proteins associated with oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) after the treatment. Additionally, mice from the <italic>L. plantarum</italic> ZJUIDS14 group had a restored intestinal flora and homeostasis involving <italic>Coprostanoligenes group</italic>, <italic>Ruminococcaceae UCG</italic>-<italic>014</italic>, <italic>Allobaculum</italic>, <italic>Ruminiclostridium 1</italic>, and <italic>Roseburia</italic>. Meanwhile, these five genera exhibited a significant (negative or positive) association with ileum inflammation mRNA levels and SCFA contents, by Spearman’s correlation analysis. In general, our data demonstrated that <italic>L. plantarum</italic> ZJUIDS14 mitigates hepatic steatosis and liver damage induced by HFD. Specifically, they strengthened the integrity of the intestinal barrier, regulated gut microbiota, and improved mitochondrial function. Our data provide an experimental basis for <italic>L. plantarum</italic> ZJUIDS14 as a promising candidate to prevent NAFLD.</p>