Fecal metabolomics and gut microbiota profiling of traditional fermented sour soup (Hongsuantang) probiotics against alcoholic liver damage: preclinical study
This preclinical animal study using probiotic strains isolated from a traditional Chinese fermented food showed modulation of fecal metabolic pathways linked to the gut-liver axis, but provides no clinical or quantified histological evidence of hepatoprotection in humans.
| Population | Animal model (species not specified in provided text) with alcohol-induced liver damage |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Lactobacillus plantarum LP and Lactobacillus paracasei H2 isolated from Guizhou Hongsuantang, at multiple doses including high-dose group G |
| Comparator | Alcohol-damaged control group without probiotic intervention |
| Outcome | Fecal lipid metabolism pathway modulation; Amino acid metabolism pathway modulation; Fecal microbiome profile (diversity and composition); Dose-dependent effect (high-dose group G vs others); Microbial-derived metabolites (flavonoids, macrolides) |
Summary of findings
| Outcome | Effect | 95% CI | Certainty | Clinical relevance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal lipid metabolism pathway modulation | no quantitative effect size reported | — | Very low | — | 1 studies |
| Amino acid metabolism pathway modulation | no quantitative effect size reported | — | Very low | — | 1 studies |
| Fecal microbiome profile (diversity and composition) | no quantitative effect size reported | — | Very low | — | 1 studies |
| Dose-dependent effect (high-dose group G vs others) | no quantitative effect size reported | — | Very low | — | 1 studies |
| Microbial-derived metabolites (flavonoids, macrolides) | no quantitative effect size reported | — | Very low | — | 1 studies |
Context
Harmful alcohol use accounts for approximately 3 million deaths/year and nearly 48% of cirrhosis-related deaths. Probiotic-based interventions targeting the gut-liver axis are biologically plausible but lack robust clinical evidence. This study assesses preclinical metabolic mechanisms of strains isolated from a traditional ethnic Chinese fermented food.
What the study showed
Probiotic intervention was associated with modulation of lipid metabolism pathways (steroid hormone biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism), amino acid metabolism, membrane transport, and bile secretion. Fecal metabolomic profiles were dominated by lipids, fatty acids, and organic acids. Dose-dependent effects were observed, with the high-dose group (G) showing the largest metabolic shifts. No absolute numbers, 95% CIs, or quantitative effect sizes were reported in the available text.
How it was done
Preclinical experimental study using 16S rDNA sequencing, UHPLC-MS, and functional predictions on fecal samples from an alcohol-induced liver injury animal model. Sample size, animal species, exact intervention duration, and protocol details were not specified in the provided text. Multiple dose groups were compared.
Effect magnitude
No quantitative effect sizes (RR, OR, SMD, MD) with 95% CI were reported; findings are descriptive, based on pathway enrichment and metabolite classification.
Risk of bias
Preclinical animal model: not directly applicable to humans. Full text does not provide primary quantitative data, sample size, model species, or risk of bias assessment tool (RoB 2 not applied). Fecal metabolomics does not equate to functional or histological hepatic outcomes. Functional predictions (PICRUSt or equivalent) infer, not measure, microbial function.
What this study does NOT prove
This study does not prove hepatoprotective efficacy in humans, does not demonstrate causality between fecal metabolic changes and liver protection, and is not generalizable beyond the animal model used.
In clinical practice
This study does not provide sufficient evidence to recommend Lactobacillus plantarum LP or Lactobacillus paracasei H2 for hepatoprotection in patients with alcohol consumption. Clinicians should not alter practice based on these data.
Limitations
Preclinical animal model: not directly applicable to humans. Full text does not provide primary quantitative data, sample size, model species, or risk of bias assessment tool (RoB 2 not applied). Fecal metabolomics does not equate to functional or histological hepatic outcomes. Functional predictions (PICRUSt or equivalent) infer, not measure, microbial function.
What is still missing
Randomized clinical trials in humans with alcoholic liver disease assessing histological outcomes, liver enzymes, and clinically relevant events. Characterization of safety and effective dose in humans.
Technical appendix
Version history
- 1.0 · 2026-06-29 — Auto-generated under Evidence Standard v1.0