Protective effects of synbiotic soymilk fortified with whey protein concentrate and zinc sulfate against bile duct ligated induced hepatic encephalopathy

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is seriously associated with neuromuscular and cognitive alterations. This study aimed to examine the hepato-protective effect of different soymilk products on bile duct ligated induced HE.

Eighty-two Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into seven groups (Sham, bile duct ligation (BDL), BDL + lactulose, BDL + soymilk (SM), BDL + Synbiotic soymilk (SSM), BDL + SSM + whey protein concentrate (WPC), BDL + SSM + WPC + ZnSO4). Different SM products, lactulose, and normal saline were given via oral gavage. The serum and liver markers and liver histopathology were assessed at the end of the experiment.

The SM products significantly reduced serum alanine aminotransferase, albumin, and ammonia (P < 0.05). The levels of Aspartate aminotransferase, endotoxin, and liver interleukin-6 were improved significantly in all treatments except for those receiving SM. SSM and SSM + WPC + ZnSO4 were the only effective products in reduction of serum Alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05). Furthermore, liver total antioxidant capacity level was greater (P < 0.05) in the SSM + WPC and SSM + WPC + ZnSO4 groups. The histopathological examinations confirmed the efficiency of all SM products in the reduction of the liver fibrosis. Liver bile duct proliferation was reduced only in the SSM + WPC and SSM + WPC+ ZnSO4 groups (P < 0.05).

This study showed positive effects of different SM products, especially SSM + WPC and SSM + WPC + ZnSO4 in HE. Further studies are required to elucidate our findings