Lactobacillus Aggravate Bile Duct Ligation-Induced Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis in Mice

Lactobacillus (LAB) have been reported to exert both harmful and beneficial effects on human and animal health. Recently, it has been reported that dysbiosis and bacterial translocation contribute to liver fibrosis. However, the role of Gram-positive LAB in the situation of chronic liver diseases has not been yet elucidated. Liver injury was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in LAB or control-administered mice. Liver fibrosis was enhanced in LAB-administered mice compared with control-treated mice as demonstrated by quantification of Sirius-red positive area, hydroxyproline contents and fibrosis-related genes (Col1α1, Acta2, Timp1, Tgfb1). Moreover, LAB-administered mice were more susceptible to BDL-induced liver injury as shown by increased ALT and AST level of LAB group compared with control group at 5 days post BDL. Consistent with serum level, inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) were also significantly increased in LAB-treated mice. Of note, LAB-treated liver showed increased lipoteichoic acid (LTA) expression compared with control-treated liver, indicating that LAB-derived LTA may translocate from intestine to liver via portal vein. Indeed, responsible receptor or inflammatory factor (PAFR and iNOS) for LTA were upregulated in LAB-administered group. The present findings demonstrate that administration of LAB increases LTA translocation to liver and induces profibrogenic inflammatory milieu, leading to aggravation of liver fibrosis. The current study provides new cautious information of LAB for liver fibrosis patients to prevent the detrimental effect of LAB supplements.