Effects of probiotics on liver function, inflammation, and gut microbiota in alcoholic liver injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

2025-12-19
Frontiers in nutrition 12
- Mohamed J Saadh
- Zahraa Sabah Ghnim
- Morug Salih Mahdi
- Vimal Arora
- M M Rekha
- Ashish Sharma
- Bhanu Juneja
- Zafar Aminov
- Waam Mohammed Taher
- Mariem Alwan
- Mahmood Jasem Jawad
- Atheer Khdyair Hamad

PubMed: 41487669
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1717393

Study Design

Type: Systematic Review
Sample size: n = 12
Population: adults with ALD
Methods: A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases identified clinical studies assessing probiotic interventions in adults with ALD.

Purpose

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on alcohol metabolism, liver function biomarkers, inflammatory indicators, and gut microbiota composition in patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD), providing insights into their potential therapeutic role.

Methods

A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases identified clinical studies assessing probiotic interventions in adults with ALD.

Results

A total of 12 clinical trials conducted between 2008 and 2025 were included. Probiotic supplementation resulted in significant reductions in liver enzymes, including ALT (WMD = -10.10; 95% CI: -15.34, -4.87) and AST (WMD = -13.05; 95% CI: -21.33, -4.78). No significant effects were observed for GGT or ALP. Probiotics did not significantly influence blood alcohol or acetaldehyde levels. Regarding inflammatory markers, probiotics did not significantly affect LPS, TNF-α, IL-1β, or IL-6, and IL-10. Microbial analyses showed an increase in beneficial gut bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium, and Prevotella, and a decrease in pathogenic taxa such as Escherichia and Shigella.

Conclusion

Probiotic supplementation shows promising benefits for improving liver enzyme profiles and modulating the gut microbiota in patients with ALD. However, inconsistent effects on markers of inflammation and alcohol metabolism highlight the need for large-scale, high-quality randomized trials to confirm the therapeutic potential of probiotics in ALD.

Research Insights

Bifidobacterium plantarum→Improved Alcohol Metabolism
Probiotics did not significantly influence blood alcohol or acetaldehyde levels.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Bifidobacterium plantarum→Improved Gut Microbiota
Microbial analyses showed an increase in beneficial gut bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium, and Prevotella, and a decrease in pathogenic taxa such as Escherichia and Shigella.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Bifidobacterium plantarum→Improved Gut Microbiota Composition
Microbial analyses showed an increase in beneficial gut bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium, and Prevotella, and a decrease in pathogenic taxa such as Escherichia and Shigella.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Bifidobacterium plantarum→Improved Liver Enzyme Function
Probiotic supplementation resulted in significant reductions in liver enzymes, including ALT (WMD = -10.10; 95% CI: -15.34, -4.87) and AST (WMD = -13.05; 95% CI: -21.33, -4.78).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Bifidobacterium plantarum→Reduced Inflammation
Probiotics did not significantly affect LPS, TNF-α, IL-1β, or IL-6, and IL-10.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Bifidobacterium plantarum→Reduced Inflammatory Markers
Regarding inflammatory markers, probiotics did not significantly affect LPS, TNF-α, IL-1β, or IL-6, and IL-10.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus R0011→Improved Liver Enzyme Function
Probiotic supplementation resulted in significant reductions in liver enzymes, including ALT (WMD = -10.10; 95% CI: -15.34, -4.87) and AST (WMD = -13.05; 95% CI: -21.33, -4.78).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus R0011→Modulated Gut Microbiota
Microbial analyses showed an increase in beneficial gut bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium, and Prevotella, and a decrease in pathogenic taxa such as Escherichia and Shigella.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011→Improved Liver Enzyme Function
Probiotic supplementation resulted in significant reductions in liver enzymes, including ALT (WMD = -10.10; 95% CI: -15.34, -4.87) and AST (WMD = -13.05; 95% CI: -21.33, -4.78).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011→Modulated Gut Microbiota
Microbial analyses showed an increase in beneficial gut bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium, and Prevotella, and a decrease in pathogenic taxa such as Escherichia and Shigella.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate