Effect of probiotics and synbiotics consumption on serum concentrations of liver function test enzymes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Author(s)
Khalesi, Saman
Johnson, David Wayne
Campbell, Katrin
Williams, Susan
Fenning, Andrew
Saluja, Sonia
Irwin, Christopher
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2018
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Show full item recordAbstract
Purpose:
The gut–liver interaction suggests that modification of gut bacterial flora using probiotics and synbiotics may improve liver function. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the effect of probiotics and synbiotics consumption on the serum concentration of liver function enzymes.
Methods:
PubMed (MEDLINE), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Cochrane Library (Central) were searched from 1980 to August 2017 for studies where adults consumed probiotics and/or synbiotics in controlled trials and changes in liver function enzymes were examined.
Results:
A total of 17 ...
View more >Purpose: The gut–liver interaction suggests that modification of gut bacterial flora using probiotics and synbiotics may improve liver function. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the effect of probiotics and synbiotics consumption on the serum concentration of liver function enzymes. Methods: PubMed (MEDLINE), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Cochrane Library (Central) were searched from 1980 to August 2017 for studies where adults consumed probiotics and/or synbiotics in controlled trials and changes in liver function enzymes were examined. Results: A total of 17 studies (19 trials) were included in the meta-analysis. Random effects meta-analyses were applied. Probiotics and synbiotics significantly reduced serum alanine aminotransferase [− 8.05 IU/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) − 13.07 to − 3.04; p = 0.002]; aspartate aminotransferase (− 7.79 IU/L, 95% CI: − 13.93 to − 1.65; p = 0.02) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (− 8.40 IU/L, 95% CI − 12.61 to − 4.20; p < 0.001). Changes in the serum concentration of alkaline phosphatase and albumin did not reach a statistically significant level. Changes to bilirubin levels were in favour of the control group (0.95 μmol/L, 95% CI 0.48–1.42; p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis suggested the existence of liver disease at baseline, synbiotics supplementation and duration of supplementation ≥ 8 weeks resulted in more pronounced improvement in liver function enzymes than their counterparts. Conclusions: Probiotics and synbiotics may be suggested as supplements to improve serum concentration of liver enzymes, especially when synbiotics administered for a period ≥ 8 weeks and in individuals with liver disease.
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View more >Purpose: The gut–liver interaction suggests that modification of gut bacterial flora using probiotics and synbiotics may improve liver function. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the effect of probiotics and synbiotics consumption on the serum concentration of liver function enzymes. Methods: PubMed (MEDLINE), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Cochrane Library (Central) were searched from 1980 to August 2017 for studies where adults consumed probiotics and/or synbiotics in controlled trials and changes in liver function enzymes were examined. Results: A total of 17 studies (19 trials) were included in the meta-analysis. Random effects meta-analyses were applied. Probiotics and synbiotics significantly reduced serum alanine aminotransferase [− 8.05 IU/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) − 13.07 to − 3.04; p = 0.002]; aspartate aminotransferase (− 7.79 IU/L, 95% CI: − 13.93 to − 1.65; p = 0.02) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (− 8.40 IU/L, 95% CI − 12.61 to − 4.20; p < 0.001). Changes in the serum concentration of alkaline phosphatase and albumin did not reach a statistically significant level. Changes to bilirubin levels were in favour of the control group (0.95 μmol/L, 95% CI 0.48–1.42; p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis suggested the existence of liver disease at baseline, synbiotics supplementation and duration of supplementation ≥ 8 weeks resulted in more pronounced improvement in liver function enzymes than their counterparts. Conclusions: Probiotics and synbiotics may be suggested as supplements to improve serum concentration of liver enzymes, especially when synbiotics administered for a period ≥ 8 weeks and in individuals with liver disease.
View less >
Journal Title
European Journal of Nutrition
Copyright Statement
© 2017 Springer Berlin / Heidelberg. This is an electronic version of an article published in European Journal of Nutrition, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-017-1568-y. European Journal of Nutrition is available online at: http://link.springer.com/ with the open URL of your article.
Note
This publication has been entered into Griffith Research Online as an Advanced Online Version.
Subject
Nutrition and dietetics
Nutrition and dietetics not elsewhere classified
Clinical nutrition