Probiotics and intestinal permeability in adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis: A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

Authors

Bruna Concheski de Moura, Samanta Catherine Ferreira, Amanda Souza Silva-Sperb, Helena Abadie Moraes, Larisse Longo, Carolina Uribe-Cruz, Matheus Truccolo Michalczuk, Themis Reverbel da Silveira, Carlos Thadeu Schmidt Cerski, Mário Reis Álvares da Silva, Valesca Dall'Alba

Published in

JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition. Sep 06, 2026. Epub Sep 06, 2026.

Abstract

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is associated with altered intestinal permeability, allowing microbial products to translocate to the liver via the enterohepatic circulation and contributes to disease progression. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between probiotic supplementation and serum claudin-3 levels in patients with MASH.
We conducted a secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial including adult outpatients with biopsy-confirmed MASH (Activity Score >4). Participants received either a probiotic mixture (Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, L. paracasei, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis; 1 × 10⁹ CFU or placebo (2 sachets/day) for 24 weeks. Serum claudin-3 levels and dietary intake were assessed before and after the intervention. Changes were analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equations.
Forty-four patients completed the trial. Baseline claudin-3 concentrations were similar between groups. After 24 weeks, serum claudin-3 levels significantly decreased in both the probiotic (14.7 to 6.1 ng/mL) and placebo groups (16.7 to 6.0 ng/mL), with no significant between-group difference. Both groups reported reduced intake of calories, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, but no differences in weight or waist circumference.
In conclusion, serum claudin-3 levels decreased significantly over the 24-week study period in patients with MASH. However, probiotic supplementation did not result in additional reductions in intestinal permeability compared to placebo.

PMID:
42701874
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 06 Sep 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.