Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Evaluating Cell Death Using Cell-Free Supernatant of Probiotics in Three-Dimensional Spheroid Cultures of Colorectal Cancer Cells
06:07

Evaluating Cell Death Using Cell-Free Supernatant of Probiotics in Three-Dimensional Spheroid Cultures of Colorectal Cancer Cells

Published on: June 13, 2020

7.2K

Probiotics Mixture, Prohep: a Potential Adjuvant for Low-Dose Sorafenib in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic

Fangfei Zhang1, Emily Kwun Kwan Lo1, Congjia Chen1

  • 1School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong S. A. R., China.

Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins
|May 22, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Prohep, a probiotic, prevents metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (MASLD-HCC) by modulating gut microbiota and producing beneficial SCFAs. It also enhances low-dose sorafenib efficacy for MASLD-HCC treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (MASLD-HCC) is a growing health concern.
  • Targeting gut microbiota presents a novel therapeutic strategy for MASLD-HCC.
  • Probiotic interventions show promise in modulating the gut microbiome and influencing liver health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prophylactic and adjuvant therapeutic effects of Prohep, a probiotic mixture, in a murine model of MASLD-HCC.
  • To explore the impact of Prohep on gut microbiota composition, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and key molecular pathways involved in liver cancer.
  • To evaluate Prohep's potential to enhance the efficacy of low-dose sorafenib in treating MASLD-HCC.

Main Methods:

  • Establishment of a MASLD-HCC mice model using diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and a high-fat high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet.
  • Gut microbiome profiling via shotgun sequencing.
  • Assessment of Prohep's effects on liver steatosis, tumor development, SCFA levels, AMPK activation, lipogenesis, antioxidant enzyme expression, and the PI3K/mTOR pathway.

Main Results:

  • Prohep supplementation significantly suppressed MASLD-HCC development by modulating gut microbiota and increasing propionate and valerate production.
  • Prohep activated AMPK, reduced lipogenesis, decreased lipid uptake, enhanced antioxidant enzymes, and inhibited the PI3K/mTOR pathway.
  • As an adjuvant therapy, Prohep improved low-dose sorafenib efficacy, reducing tumor burden, inflammation, and increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) expression, alongside enhanced butyrate production.

Conclusions:

  • Prohep exhibits anti-tumorigenic properties against MASLD-HCC through gut microbiota modulation and SCFA production.
  • Prohep enhances the therapeutic effects of low-dose sorafenib, offering a potential combination therapy for MASLD-HCC.
  • Gut microbiota modulation is crucial for developing effective neoadjuvant therapies and long-term management strategies for MASLD-HCC.
Keywords:
Adjuvant therapyMSALD-HCCProbioticsSorafenib

More Related Videos

Establishment of Hepatocarcinoma in BALB/c-nu Mice and Investigation of the Therapeutic Effect of the Sanleng Jiashen Formula09:03

Establishment of Hepatocarcinoma in BALB/c-nu Mice and Investigation of the Therapeutic Effect of the Sanleng Jiashen Formula

Published on: January 26, 2024

761
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection07:06

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection

Published on: December 8, 2014

27.8K

Related Concept Videos

Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
1
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...
653
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...
248
Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the colon and rectum. The primary drugs used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis are aminosalicylates. They exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. They modulate inflammatory mediators and inhibit the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Aminosalicylates also reduce inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin and leukotriene production and decreasing neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide...
598
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Adsorbents as Antidiarrheal Agents01:20

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Adsorbents as Antidiarrheal Agents

Diarrhea is characterized by the occurrence of frequent, watery bowel movements. Various factors can trigger diarrhea, including viral or bacterial infections, foodborne illnesses, side effects from certain medications, and underlying digestive disorders. If not adequately managed, diarrhea can lead to complications such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and nutrient deficiencies. Severe diarrhea can lead to significant weight loss, malnutrition, and weakened immune function.
Adsorbents...
727
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Active Drug, Metabolite and Fraction of Metabolized Drug01:14

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Active Drug, Metabolite and Fraction of Metabolized Drug

In pharmacotherapy, monitoring drug concentrations is paramount, especially for drugs whose therapeutic effects hinge on both the active compound and its metabolite. Hepatic impairment profoundly influences drug potency by altering liver function. If the drug is more potent than its metabolite, impaired liver function amplifies drug activity due to elevated drug concentration levels. Conversely, if the metabolite holds greater potency, diminished liver function diminishes drug activity by...
281