Saccharomyces boulardii Mitigates Fructose-Induced Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver in Rats

Background and Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing global health concern closely linked to metabolic disorders, including obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. Emerging evidence suggests that the gut-liver axis plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, with recent research highlighting the influence of gut microbiota, including fungal species such as Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of S. boulardii on lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in a rat model of fructose-induced NAFLD. Materials and Methods: Thirty Wistar rats were divided into three groups: a control group, a fatty liver group induced by 35% fructose supplementation, and a treatment group receiving S. boulardii (100 mg/kg/day) after fructose induction. Results: Biochemical analyses revealed that the treatment group exhibited significantly lower plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total triglycerides, and cholesterol compared to the untreated fatty liver group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, liver tissue analysis showed a marked reduction in lipid accumulation and fatty infiltration in the treatment group, with no visible lipid vacuoles in hepatocytes. The expression of aquaporin-8 (AQP8) and sirtuin-1 (SIRT1), key markers associated with hepatocyte function and lipid metabolism, was significantly higher in the S. boulardii group compared to the fatty liver group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings indicate that S. boulardii supplementation mitigates the metabolic and oxidative stress-related alterations associated with fructose-induced NAFLD. In conclusion, our study suggests that S. boulardii exerts protective effects on the liver by reducing lipid accumulation and oxidative stress, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic intervention for NAFLD.