Table 2.
Clinical trials using probiotics as therapeutic strategy for NAFLD.
| Reference | Design | Probiotic | Time | Main outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wong et al., 2013 | Randomized controlled trial with biopsy proven NASH patients Probiotics (n = 10) Usual care (n = 10) | Lepicol probiotic formula (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus bulgaricus) | 6 months | Reduction in intrahepatic triglyceride content and ALT levels |
| Famouri et al., 2016 | Randomized triple-blind trial in children with sonographicproven NAFLD Probiotic (n = 32) Placebo (n = 32) |
Probiotic capsule containing Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum Lactobacillus rhamnosus | 12 weeks | Improved ultrasonographicNAFLD indicator, reduction of ALT/AST, total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride levels. |
| Aller et al., 2011 | Randomized double-blind clinical trial in biopsy proven NAFLD patients Probiotic (n = 15) Placebo (n = 15) |
Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus | 3 months | Reduced ALT, AST, and γ-GT levels |
| Nabavi et al., 2014 | Double-blind randomized clinical trial in ultrasonography proven NAFLD Probiotic (n = 32) Placebo (n = 32) |
Yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus La5 and Bifidobacteriumlactis Bb12 | 8 weeks | Decreased body weight and BMI, reduced ALT/AST, total cholesterol, and LDL levels |
| Alisi et al., 2014 | Double-blind randomized clinical trial in NAFLD diagnosed obese children Probiotic (n = 24) Placebo (n = 24) |
VSL#3 | 4 months | Improved fatty liver evaluation by ultrasonography, significant decrease in BMI, increase in circulating levels of GLP-1 |
| Sepideh et al., 2016 | Double-blind randomized clinical trial Probiotic (n = 21) Placebo (n = 21) |
Lactocare (Lactobacilluscasei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum, and Streptococcus thermophilus)1g/day | 2 months | Reduced insulin, HOMA-IR, TNF-α, and IL-6 |
ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; BMI, body mass index; γ-GT, gamma-glutamyltransferase; GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide-1; HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance; IL6, interleukin-6; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; TC, total cholesterol; TG, triglycerides; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor.