ABSTRACT
Background
Supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics and symbiotics has shown positive effects on clinical markers and risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Objective
To evaluate the effect of supplementation with probiotic, prebiotic or symbiotic on intestinal microbiota in NAFLD patients.
Methods
Two investigators conducted independently search for articles in the Medline databases, via PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, Lilacs, Central Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials.gov and on the Ovid platform for the gray literature search.
Results
A total of 3,423 papers were identified by searching the electronic databases; 1,560 of them were duplicate and they were excluded; 1,825 articles were excluded after reading the title and abstract. A total of 39 articles were select to reading, however only four articles met the eligibility criteria to include in this systematic review. Three of the included studies that used prebiotic or symbiotic supplementation showed that after the intervention there were changes in the intestinal microbiota pattern. Only in one study such changes were not observed. A high risk of bias was observed in most assessments.
Conclusion
Although there is a possible change in the gut microbiota of individuals with NAFLD after supplementation with symbiotics or prebiotics, a clinical indication as part of NAFLD treatment is not yet possible.
Keywords:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; probiotics; prebiotics; symbiotics; intestinal microbiome
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