Effects of Probiotics on NAFLD in Obese Children and Adolescents

Effects of Probiotics on NAFLD in Obese Children and Adolescents
Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 2017 Mar 01; 64 (3)413-417; F Famouri, Z Shariat, M Hashemipour, et al
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TAKE-HOME MESSAGE

•A cohort of 64 obese children with sonographic and biochemical nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was randomized to receive a daily probiotic capsule or placebo for 12 weeks. Patients in the intervention group had significant improvement in liver enzymes, cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides despite no significant change in BMI z-score. In addition, ultrasound findings were reported as normal in 53.1% of the intervention group vs 16.5% of the control group.
•Probiotics may improve NAFLD in obese children.

abstract

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to evaluate the effects of some probiotics on sonographic and biochemical nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

METHODS

This randomized triple-blind trial was conducted among 64 obese children with sonographic NAFLD. They were randomly allocated to receive probiotic capsule (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC B3208, 3 × 10 colony forming units [CFU]; Bifidobacterium lactis DSMZ 32269, 6 × 10 CFU; Bifidobacterium bifidum ATCC SD6576, 2 × 10 CFU; Lactobacillus rhamnosus DSMZ 21690, 2 × 10 CFU) or placebo for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

After intervention, in the probiotic group the mean levels of alanine aminotransferase decreased from 32.8 (19.6) to 23.1 (9.9) U/L (P = 0.02) and mean aspartate aminotransferase decreased from 32.2 (15.7) to 24.3 (7.7) U/L (P = 0.02). Likewise the mean cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-C, and triglycerides as well as waist circumference decreased in the intervention group, without significant change in weight, body mass index, and body mass index z score. After the trial, normal liver sonography was reported in 17 (53.1%) and 5 (16.5%) of patients in the intervention and placebo groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings suggest that a course of the abovementioned probiotic compound can be effective in improving pediatric NAFLD.