Effects of Probiotics on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Children and Adolescents

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effects of some probiotics on sonographic and biochemical nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: This randomized triple-blind trial was conducted among 64 obese children with sonographic NAFLD. They were randomly allocated to receive probiotic capsule (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC B3208, 3 × 10 colony forming units [CFU]; Bifidobacterium lactis DSMZ 32269, 6 × 10 CFU; Bifidobacterium bifidum ATCC SD6576, 2 × 10 CFU; Lactobacillus rhamnosus DSMZ 21690, 2 × 10 CFU) or placebo for 12 weeks. RESULTS: After intervention, in the probiotic group the mean levels of alanine aminotransferase decreased from 32.8 (19.6) to 23.1 (9.9) U/L (P = 0.02) and mean aspartate aminotransferase decreased from 32.2 (15.7) to 24.3 (7.7) U/L (P = 0.02). Likewise the mean cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-C, and triglycerides as well as waist circumference decreased in the intervention group, without significant change in weight, body mass index, and body mass index z score. After the trial, normal liver sonography was reported in 17 (53.1%) and 5 (16.5%) of patients in the intervention and placebo groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest that a course of the abovementioned probiotic compound can be effective in improving pediatric NAFLD.