Review for 10.1186/s12876-016-0451-2 (2016)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Comparative experimental investigation on the efficacy of mo no- and multiprobiotic 
strains  in non -alcoholic fatty liver disease prevention  
 
Version: 0 Date: 10 Jan 2016  
 
Reviewer: Josefa Leon Lopez  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Kobyliak et al. analyzed efficacy of different probiotic strains, their combination and form (alive 
or lyophilized) in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) prevention. Previous studies from 
this team showed that periodic treatment with multiprobiotic c ontaining 14 biomass of alive 
strains (Lactobacillus, Lactococcus,Bifidobacterium, Propionibacterium, Acetobacter) prevents 
at least partially the MSG -induced obesity and NAFLD development from childhood in a 
chronic treatment in rats. Therefore, this work  is a continuation of the research performed by the 
same team. The state -of-the-art is adequate to the field of research. The paper is original because 
there are not many studies about the protective role of multiprobiotics on experimental models of 
obesit y and NAFLD in rats. However, following points should be addressed to strengthen the 
manuscript to have maximal impact on the readers:  
 
 
Minor points:  
1. The English version of the paper must be revised.  
 
2. The abstract should be rewrite in order to make it  easier to understand methods and 
results.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an  
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quali ty of language in the manuscript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years receiv ed reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an  
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this  
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose  
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content o f the  
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds  or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any  non-financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below.  
If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing i ntesrest  
 
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on my report to the authors and, if the manuscript is accepted for publication, my named report  
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to the editors, which will not be published.  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal