Oral administration of Karish cheese ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the protective effect of two different types of Karish cheese, differing in starter culture used, against development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rat model.For that purpose, Wister rats were randomized into three groups; rats in the control group were fed high fructose (70%) diet while rats in experimental groups were fed the same diet mixed with 10 % of Karish cheese containing Streptococcus thermophilus NRRL-B- 41401 (group II) or Karish cheese containing Lactobacillus acidophilus NRRL-B-4495, BifidobacteriumlongumNRRL-B- 41409 with the same strain of Streptococcusthermophilus (group III). After five weeks of intervention, levels of plasma triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, liver biomarkers (ALT and AST), interleukin (IL)-6, fecal enterobacteriaceae and hepatic index were significantly (p< 0.05) increased in rats incontrolgroup compared to rats in both experimental groups. Also, levels of plasma liver markers, lipid profile, glucose and IL-6 were significantly lower in rats of group III than rats in group II. Furthermore, levels of plasma IL-10 were significantly increased in the experimental groups compared to rats in control group.Results of this study indicated that eating probiotic Karish cheese decrease the risk of NAFLD through (I) block the inflammation process that associated with NAFLD,(II) enhancement lipid profiles and (III) decrease levels of fecal enterobacteriaceae in rats. Indeed, extensive research on molecular mechanisms of health benefits of Karish cheese is still needed.