Effects of fecal microbiota transplantation on liver function and lipid metabolism disorder in rats with nonalcoholic fatty

Abstract

Objective To establish a model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rats, and investigate the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) intervention on liver function and lipid metabolism in model rats and explore its clinical significance. Methods A total of 24 SD rats were selected and a rat NAFLD model was established by high-fat diet feeding. The rats were divided into 4 groups, that is, group A (normal control group, 0.2 mL/d normal saline), group B (NAFLD model group, 0.2 mL/d normal saline gavage), group C (probiotics group, 0.2 mL/d probiotic solution gavage, containing probiotics 2.7×109) and group D (FMT group, 0.2 mL/d fecal bacteria solution, intragastric administration of 2.7×109 fecal bacteria). After 8 weeks of treatment, the survival of the rats was recorded. The body weight, liver function, and changes in serum insulin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) before and after treatment were compared in the groups. Results There was no death in all the experimental rats. Compared with the model group, FMT induced significantly decrease in the liver index (P < 0.01), improved liver function, and lower plasma ALT and AST levels (P < 0.01). Lipid metabolism disorder was also significantly improved after FMT intervention, including obviously decreased LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (T-CHO) and elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) when compared with the levels in the model group (P < 0.01). Fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance index were also decreased significantly after the intervention (P < 0.01). What's more, serum contents of IL-6 and TNF-α were markedly lower in rats receiving FMT than those in the model group (P < 0.01). Conclusion Human FMT is feasible in rats. It can improve liver function and correct lipid metabolism disorder in NAFLD rats.

Keywords

• nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
• fecal microbiota transplantation
• liver function
• lipid metabolism
• insulin resistance