Multiprobiotic therapy from childhood prevents the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in adult monosodium glutamate-induced obese rats

Considering the association between microflora and obesity, and the significantly higher prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese people, the aim of our study was to investigate the preventive effect of multiprobiotics on the monosodium glutamate (MSG) induced NAFLD model, in rats. The work was carried out on 60 rats placed into three groups: the Control group, the MSG-group and the MSG-probiotic group. The MSG-group and the MSG-probiotic group were injected with 4 mg/g of MSG subcutaneously neonatally on the 2^nd-10^th days of life. The MSG-probiotic rats were also treated with 140 mg/kg of multiprobiotic “Symbiter” from the 4^th week of life. In the 4-month-old rats, biochemical and morphological changes in liver were assessed, and steatosis was confirmed by the NAFLD activity score (NAS). Our results reveal that the multiprobiotic lowered total NAS, the degree of steatosis and the liver lobular inflammation caused by MSG. It also brought about decreased liver total lipids and triglycerids content, as well as decreased visceral adipose tissue mass. However, there was no difference in the liver serum biochemical indicators between all experimental groups. The obtained data does suggest the efficacy of probiotics in the prevention of NAFLD.