The effects of probiotic yogurt on metabolic factors in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Probiotic products may have positive effects in the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of consumption of probiotic yogurt on some metabolic factors in the patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial included 72 patients between 23 to 63 years of age with NAFLD (33 males and 39 females). The intervention group (n = 36) consumed 300 g/d of pro-biotic yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus La5 and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 and the control group (n = 36) consumed 300 g/d of conventional yogurt for 8 weeks. Using SPSS software version 16, data analysis was performed by chi-square test, independent sample t-test, analysis of covariance, and paired sample t-test. Fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements, and dietary records (24 h/day for 3 days) were collected at baseline at the end of the trial. Probiotic yogurt consumption resulted in 4.67%, 5.42%, 4.1%, and 6.92% reductions of serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase (P<0.02), total cholesterol (P<0.001), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P<0.001), in the intervention group, compared to the control group. Both groups showed no significant changes in the levels of serum glucose, triglyceride, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P>0.05). Probiotic yogurt consumption improved hepatic enzymes, serum total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the subjects. Therefore, it might be useful in the management of NAFLD risk factors.