ORAL ADMINISTRATION of LACTIC ACID BACTERIA PREVENTS STEATOSIS in a MURINE MODEL for NON-ALCOHOLIC STEATOHEPATITIS (NASH)

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a detrimental process of diabetes to develop into hepatocellular carcinoma. This inflammatory disease is becoming increasingly popular among obese population associated with high-fat diet, especially in developed countries. Therefore establishment of diet-solutions, in addition to symptomatic treatments, are keenly required. We have previously shown that approximately 70% of lactic acid bacteria are able to induce high level of anti-inflammatory interferon-β (IFN-β) from dendritic cells by stimulating endosomal Toll-like receptors. In the present study we show that oral administration of a lactic acid bacterium (LAB, Lactococcus lactis strain C60) prevents inflammation and steatosis in murine liver, using an experimental model of NASH, i.e. non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score including steatosis, lobular inflammation, and hepatocellular ballooning are significantly improved. C60 is a LAB strain, which induce high level of IFN-β and IL-10 from dendritic cells and stabilize oral tolerance. We are currently examining the role of these anti-inflammatory mediators (IL-10/IFN-β) and resultant immune regulatory cells in suppressing liver chronic inflammation.

This work was supported by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research by Yakult Bio-Science Foundation.