The Effect of Probiotics on the Clinical Outcomes and Gut Microenvironment in Patients With Fatty Liver

Fatty liver has been associated with high risk of progression to inflammation of the liver, liver cirrhosis (hardening of the liver), and eventually can lead to liver cancer. So far, the treatment for this condition involves controlling the cholesterol level in the body by practicing low fat diet and daily exercise. However, recently there has been evidence that alteration of the normal population of various types of bacteria that lives in the intestines may contributes to the development of fatty liver.

Probiotics is a dietary supplement containing live bacteria that is formulated to change the composition and population of the bacteria in the intestines. It is postulated that by taking specifically formulated probiotics, the alteration of the intestinal bacteria may lead to improvement of the fatty liver, leading to better daily liver function.

In this 6-month study, investigators would like to investigate the effectiveness of the probiotics in improving the liver function and in the treatment of the fatty liver. It will compare the fatty liver of patients who took the probiotics supplements compared to those who did not took it and see if there is any improvement.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the common causes of chronic liver disease nowadays. NAFLD is considered as the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. In Malaysia, the prevalence of metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, obesity and dyslipidemia are increasing with time. Despite the disease burden, treatments for NAFLD are currently limited due to the ongoing evolving theory of its pathogenesis.

One of the proposed mechanisms is via gut-liver axis (GLA), whereby the role of gut microbiota has been implicated. Two main components of GLA are gut microbiota and gut barrier. A change in gut microbiota composition will predispose to gut barrier dysfunction, which subsequently leads to bacterial by-products translocation into the portal circulation. Eventually, these by-products reach the liver and trigger the cascades of hepatic inflammation, leading to fatty liver and its disease progression.

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of probiotics in modulating the gut microenvironment - namely gut microbiota composition, gut barrier function and local gut inflammation, as well as its effect on the clinical outcomes in NAFLD patients.

Investigators propose a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 6-month duration. Investigators aim to recruit 48 NALFD patients, with either treated with probiotics or placebo. Small intestinal microbiota will be determined by 16S-rRNA sequencing and immunoreactivity of zona occludens-1 (tight junction protein in the gut barrier) and cytokines mRNA level will be measured. The degree of liver steatosis and stiffness will be assessed by using transient elastography and biochemical blood tests. All these variables will be determined pre- and post-intervention with probiotics/placebo.

This study will provide a valuable knowledge on the role of probiotics as the gut microenvironment modulator and strengthen the hypothesis of GLA involvement in the NAFLD development. Hence, probiotics can be strongly considered as one of the treatment options for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18 and above 2. Diagnosis of NAFLD is confirmed by the presence of fatty liver detected by abdominal ultrasound and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) score from FibroScan® of \>263 3. Raised ALT level (above upper limit of normal): \> 35IU/L for males and \> 25 IU/L for females

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Evidence of other chronic liver diseases (as determined by clinical and standard investigations) - e.g. Hepatitis B, C infections, autoimmune hepatic disorders.
2. Evidence of acute disorders that affecting the liver - e.g. drug induced liver injury, non-Hepatitis B, C viral infection.
3. Biliary disease.
4. Liver cancer - primary hepatocellular carcinoma or liver metastasis.
5. Evidence of liver cirrhosis.
6. Alcohol intake \> 20g/day for males and \>10g/day for females.
7. Use of steatogenic medications within the past one months - e.g. systemic steroids, methotrexate.
8. History of bariatric surgery
9. Intake of antibiotics and/or probiotic and proton pump inhibitor within one month before the start of the study or during the study period.