Protective effects of synbiotic soymilk fortified with whey protein concentrate and zinc sulfate against bile duct ligated induced hepatic encephalopathy

Abstract Aim(s): Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is seriously associated with neuromuscular and cognitive alterations. This study aimed to examine the hepato-protective effect of different soymilk products on bile duct ligated induced HE. Methods: Eighty-two Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into seven groups (Sham, bile duct ligation (BDL), BDL + lactulose, BDL + soymilk (SM), BDL + Synbiotic soymilk (SSM), BDL + SSM + whey protein concentrate (WPC), BDL + SSM + WPC + ZnSO4). Different SM products, lactulose, and normal saline were given via oral gavage. The serum and liver markers and liver histopathology were assessed at the end of the experiment. Results: The SM products significantly reduced serum alanine aminotransferase, albumin, and ammonia ( P < 0.05). The levels of Aspartate aminotransferase, endotoxin, and liver interleukin-6 were improved significantly in all treatments except for those receiving SM. SSM and SSM + WPC + ZnSO4 were the only effective products in reduction of serum Alkaline phosphatase ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, liver total antioxidant capacity level was greater ( P < 0.05) in the SSM + WPC and SSM + WPC + ZnSO4 groups. The histopathological examinations confirmed the efficiency of all SM products in the reduction of the liver fibrosis. Liver bile duct proliferation was reduced only in the SSM + WPC and SSM + WPC+ ZnSO4 groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed positive effects of different SM products, especially SSM + WPC and SSM + WPC + ZnSO4 in HE. Further studies are required to elucidate our findings