by John Baur, PT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Acetaminophen (APAP) is a commonly used over-the-counter pain reliever that can cause liver damage when taken in high doses. The common brand name for acetaminophen (APAP) is Tylenol and acute liver injury caused by APAP overdose is a serious medical condition that can lead to liver failure and death. Probiotics are live microorganisms that can provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. Bacillus spp. spores are a type of probiotic that have been shown to modulate the gut microbiota and improve overall health. In this report, we will discuss a study that investigated the effects of a probiotic containing Bacillus spp. spores on a rat model of APAP-induced acute liver injury.
Methods
The study used a rat model of APAP-induced acute liver injury. The rats were divided into four groups: a control group, an APAP group, an APAP group treated with the probiotic, and an APAP group treated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a standard treatment for APAP-induced liver injury. The probiotic contained Bacillus spp. spores.
The rats were treated with the probiotic or NAC for a period of 3 days. The severity of liver injury was assessed by measuring levels of liver enzymes in the blood and examining liver tissue for signs of damage.
Results
The study found that treatment with the probiotic containing Bacillus spp. spores protected against APAP-induced acute liver injury in rats. The probiotic significantly reduced levels of liver enzymes in the blood and reduced signs of liver damage in the liver tissue. The protective effects of the probiotic were comparable to those of NAC, the standard treatment for APAP-induced liver injury.
The study also found that the probiotic increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiota, which may have contributed to its protective effects on the liver.
Conclusion
The study suggests that treatment with a probiotic containing Bacillus spp. spores can protect against APAP-induced acute liver injury in rats. The probiotic reduced levels of liver enzymes in the blood and reduced signs of liver damage in the liver tissue. These findings suggest that Bacillus spp. spores could be a promising treatment option for APAP-induced liver injury in humans. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in human clinical trials, but the study provides a promising avenue for future research in the field of probiotics and liver health.
Physical Therapy First recognizes the importance staying well-informed with the latest health and wellness topics that affect our patients. Megasporebiotic made by Microbiome Labs (microbiomelabs.com) is the first spore-base probiotic with research which supports it use for Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver injury and many other health conditions.
Reference
Probiotic Bacillus Spores Protect Against Acetaminophen Induced Acute Liver Injury in Rats.Neag MA, Catinean A, Muntean DM, Pop MR, Bocsan CI, Botan EC, Buzoianu AD.Nutrients. 2020 Feb 27;12(3):632. doi: 10.3390/nu12030632.