Probiotic compounds can be effective in improving pediatric NAFLD. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Effects of Probiotics on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Children and Adolescents: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2016 Oct 13. Epub 2016 Oct 13. PMID: 27753706
Fatemeh Famouri
OBJECTIVES: This trial aims to evaluate the effects of some probiotics on sonographic and biochemical non-alcoholic 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; B bifidum ATCC SD6576, 2 × 10 CFU; L rhamnosus DSMZ 21690, 2 × 10 CFU) or placebo for 12 weeks.
RESULTS: After intervention, in the probiotic group the mean levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) decreased from 32.8 (19.6) to 23.1(9.9) U/L (P = 0.02); and mean aspartate aminotransferase (AST) decreased from 32.2 (15.7) to 24.3 (7.7) U/L (P = 0.02). Likewise the mean cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides, as well as waist circumference decreased in the intervention group, without significant change in weight, BMI, and BMI 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 current findings suggest that a course of the abovementioned probiotic compound can be effective in improving pediatric NAFLD.