Efficacy of Jiuzao polysaccharides in ameliorating alcoholic fatty liver disease and modulating gut microbiota

Qing Li; Ronghong Pei; Erbao Chen; Fuping Zheng; Yuhang Zhang; Shihao Meng

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26167

Efficacy of Jiuzao polysaccharides in ameliorating alcoholic fatty liver disease and modulating gut microbiota

Heliyon. 2024 Feb 13;10(4):e26167. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26167. eCollection 2024 Feb 29.

Authors

Qing Li^{1

2

3}, Ronghong Pei^{1

2

3}, Erbao Chen^{1

2

3}, Fuping Zheng^{1

2

3}, Yuhang Zhang⁴, Shihao Meng^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, 100048, China.
² Key Laboratory of Brewing Molecular Engineering of China Light Industry, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, 100048, China.
³ Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety of Alcoholic Beverages of China Light Industry, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, 100048, China.
⁴ Hebei Hengshui Laobaigan Liquor Co., Ltd., Hengshui, 053009, China.

Abstract

Jiuzao, the residue from Baijiu production, has shown radical scavenging properties in prior investigations, suggesting its potential as a hepatoprotective agent against acute liver damage. This study reveals that Jiuzao polysaccharides ameliorated liver morphological damage in zebrafish larvae afflicted with alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD), as evidenced by Oil red O, H&E, and Nile red staining. These polysaccharides notably modulated antioxidant enzyme levels and lipid peroxidation components. The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reactions analyses illustrated the significant impact of Jiuzao polysaccharides on genes integral to ethanol and lipid metabolism. The 16 S rRNA results showed that Jiuzao polysaccharides could improve the intestinal flora in zebrafish larvae exposed to ethanol. In summary, Jiuzao polysaccharides efficaciously mitigate liver lipid accumulation, enhance ethanol metabolism, and reduce oxidative stress by downregulating genes involved in AFLD development. They also regulate the changes in gut microbiota, providing further protection against acute alcoholic liver insult in zebrafish larvae.

Keywords: Alcoholic fatty liver disease; Gut microbiotas; Jiuzao polysaccharides; Zebrafish larvae.