Saccharomyces boulardii Administration Changes Gut Microbiota and Attenuates D-Galactosamine-Induced Liver Injury

Sci Rep. 2017 May 2;7(1):1359. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-01271-9.

Abstract

Growing evidence has shown that gut microbiome is a key factor involved in liver health. Therefore, gut microbiota modulation with probiotic bacteria, such as Saccharomyces boulardii, constitutes a promising therapy for hepatosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of S. boulardii on D-Galactosamine-induced liver injury in mice. Liver function test and histopathological analysis both suggested that the liver injury can be effectively attenuated by S. boulardii administration. In the meantime, S. boulardii induced dramatic changes in the gut microbial composition. At the phylum level, we found that S. boulardii significantly increased in the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, and decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, which may explain the hepatic protective effects of S. boulardii. Taken together, our results demonstrated that S. boulardii administration could change the gut microbiota in mice and alleviate acute liver failure, indicating a potential protective and therapeutic role of S. boulardii.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Animals
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • BALB 3T3 Cells
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / diet therapy
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / microbiology*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology
  • Galactosamine / analogs & derivatives
  • Galactosamine / toxicity*
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Mice
  • Probiotics
  • Saccharomyces boulardii*

Substances

  • Galactosamine
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase