Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 10, 2025

Author Spotlight: Establishing MASLD Cell Models for Investigating Disease Mechanisms and the Lipid-Lowering Effects of Koumiss
07:03

Author Spotlight: Establishing MASLD Cell Models for Investigating Disease Mechanisms and the Lipid-Lowering Effects of Koumiss

Published on: July 19, 2024

1.4K

THE THERAPEUTIC IMPACT OF PROBIOTICS ON NONALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE IN PEDIATRICS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Felipe Galvão Batista Chaves1, Glauco Ferreira de Oliveira1, João Paulo Ribeiro1

  • 1Centro Universitário Lusíada, Santos, SP, Brazil.

Revista Paulista De Pediatria : Orgao Oficial Da Sociedade De Pediatria De Sao Paulo
|September 3, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Probiotic therapy significantly reduced alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, other health markers showed no significant improvement compared to placebo.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Microbiome Research

Background:

  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly prevalent in children.
  • Current NAFLD management lacks specific pharmaceutical interventions.
  • Probiotics are being explored for their potential role in managing pediatric NAFLD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of probiotic supplementation versus placebo in pediatric NAFLD patients.
  • To assess changes in liver enzymes and metabolic parameters.
  • To analyze ultrasonographic findings related to liver steatosis.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from MEDLINE and Lilacs databases.
  • Included studies published until November 2018, with no language restrictions.
  • Compared probiotic therapy against placebo in pediatric NAFLD patients, focusing on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.

Main Results:

  • Three RCTs involving 128 pediatric patients were analyzed.
  • Probiotic use (Lactobacillus rhamnosus or Bifidobacterium+Lactobacillus) significantly decreased ALT levels compared to placebo.
  • No statistically significant differences were observed in aspartate aminotransferase, BMI, triglycerides, or waist circumference.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotic therapy demonstrates a beneficial effect on reducing ALT serum levels in pediatric NAFLD.
  • The study aligns with existing literature suggesting a role for probiotics in managing pediatric NAFLD.
  • No significant benefits or harms were detected for secondary outcomes, indicating a need for further research.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Incorporation of a Survivable Liver Biopsy Procedure in Mice to Assess Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis NASH Resolution04:14

Incorporation of a Survivable Liver Biopsy Procedure in Mice to Assess Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis NASH Resolution

Published on: April 16, 2019

12.4K
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

20.4K

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
147
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
108
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess...
103
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
535
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight,...
172
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
131