Chaihu‐Shugan‐San Decoction Modulates Intestinal Microbe Dysbiosis and Alleviates Chronic Metabolic Inflammation in NAFLD Rats via the NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway

Liang Y, Zhang Y, Deng Y, Liang S, He Y, Chen Y, Liu C, Lin C, Han L, Tu G, Yang Q · Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine · 2018 January

DOI 10.1155/2018/9390786

Objective

To investigate the effects of Chaihu-Shugan-San decoction on intestinal microbial dysbiosis and chronic metabolic inflammation through the NLRP3 pathway in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease induced by a high-fat diet.

Conclusions

Chaihu-Shugan-San decoction modulated intestinal microbial dysbiosis, reduced fat accumulation, and alleviated inflammatory factor expression related to the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Critical Appraisal

Published research can offer valuable insights, but a paper’s conclusions may go beyond what its results support. Critical appraisal examines the methods, findings and limitations to clarify what can reasonably be concluded—and what remains uncertain.

This article has not yet been critically appraised by the Research Hub.

Learn more about Critical Appraisal

Insights

The Chaihu-Shugan-San decoction benefits NAFLD rats by modulating intestinal microbe dysbiosis, reducing fat accumulation, and alleviating inflammatory factor expression.

Twenty-four male rats were split into three groups: a normal control group given standard feed, a group fed a high-fat diet, and a group given a high-fat diet in conjunction with Chaihu-Shugan-San. The rats' body composition, serum and liver lipids, inflammatory markers, intestinal microbial population, and NLRP3 pathway-associated protein were all monitored and measured to determine the impact of the Chaihu-Shugan-San decoction. The Chaihu-Shugan-San decoction was found to lower body weight and total fat mass, reducing key inflammatory markers. The manipulation of the intestinal microbial population was also observed, with a decrease in certain harmful bacteria and an increase in beneficial bacteria. Changes were also measured in the expression of proteins associated with the NLRP3 inflammatory pathway. The study thus concludes that the Chaihu-Shugan-San decoction modifies intestinal microbe dysbiosis, shrinks fat accumulation, and eases the expression of inflammatory factors. These elements are all processes connected to the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in NAFLD rats.