Alcoholic Hepatotoxicity Inhibitory Effect Using Heat-Killed Lactic Acid Bacteria

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of heat-killed lactic acid bacteria on acute alcoholic liver disease and alcoholic hangover. Histologic analysis exhibited no change except in the ethanol-treated group, but the EtOHheat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum high dose-treated group (P<0.01) showed a significant change in the fatty granules in hepatocytes. Similarly, the positive control group (P<0.01) and the EtOHHLPH (heat-killed L. plantarum high dose) group (P<0.05) showed significant difference in the hepatic telangiectasis score. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were significantly decreased in the EtOHHLPH group (P<0.001 and P<0.01 respectively). Inhibition of inflammation was assessed through cytokine expression. IL-1 mRNA expression was significantly inhibited in all treatment groups, but IL-6 was inhibited only in the heat-sterilized lactic acid bacteria group (P<0.05). While measuring the changes in the amount of ethanol and acetaldehyde in the blood before and after ethanol administration, it was observed that the heat-killed lactic acid bacteria group effectively decreased after ethanol administration (P<0.001). In addition, it was confirmed that alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activities were significantly increased in the heat-killed lactic acid bacteria group (P<0.001). Therefore, it was observed that heat-treated and sterilized lactic acid bacteria like live bacteria had a significant effect on acute alcoholic liver disease.