Lactobacillus murinus Alleviates High Fructose-Induced MASLD by Boosting Arginine Production
Xinglin Mo1,2,3, Guilin Zhao1,2,3, Lanlan Liu4
1Hepatobiliary Surgery Department Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital Nanning Guangxi China.
Food Science & Nutrition
|February 19, 2026
Summary
High-fructose diets cause metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) by reducing gut Lactobacillus murinus. Supplementing L. murinus or arginine alleviates MASLD symptoms and liver damage.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- High-fructose diets are linked to increased metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
- The precise mechanisms by which fructose impacts gut microbiota and contributes to MASLD are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of fructose on gut microbiota composition.
- To elucidate the role of Lactobacillus murinus (L. murinus) in fructose-induced MASLD.
- To explore L. murinus and arginine as potential therapeutic targets for MASLD.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a mouse model with high-fructose exposure (drinking water and diet).
- Analyzed gut microbiota using 16S rDNA sequencing.
- Administered L. murinus and arginine supplementation.
- Conducted serum and fecal metabolomic analyses and ELISA.
Main Results:
- Fructose significantly reduced L. murinus abundance in mice.
- L. murinus supplementation alleviated MASLD, reducing liver inflammation, ballooning, and lipid accumulation.
- L. murinus restored arginine levels, and arginine supplementation mimicked its therapeutic effects.
Conclusions:
- Fructose-induced MASLD involves a decrease in gut L. murinus, disrupting arginine metabolism.
- L. murinus and arginine represent promising therapeutic strategies for managing fructose-induced MASLD.
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