An Animal Study to Compare Hepatoprotective Effects Between Fermented Rice Bran and Fermented Rice Germ and Soybean in a Sprague-Dawley Rat Model of Alcohol-Induced Hepatic Injury

Abstract

We compared hepatoprotective effects between fermented rice bran (FRB) and fermented rice germ and soybean (FRS) in a Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model of alcohol-induced hepatic injury (AIHI). To establish an SD rat model of AIHI, the SD rats were given 30% ethanol or water without ethanol treatment. Then, they were given 30% ethanol followed by FRB or FRS at concentrations of 15% or 30%. Our results indicate that the FRB might be more effective in lowering serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the serum and liver mitochondria, serum triglyceride levels and ALDH levels at a concentration of 15%, serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), GSH levels at a concentration of 30% and MDA levels in the liver homogenate and microsome, and hepatic triglyceride levels at both concentrations as compared with the FRS. It can therefore be concluded that FRB might also be considered as an alternative to FRS in improving the AIHI. Author Contributions: Conceptualization, H.-Y.A. and Y.-S.C.; methodology, H.-Y.A.; software, H.-Y.A.; validation, H.-Y.A. and Y.-S.C.; formal analysis, H.-Y.A.; investigation, H.-Y.A.; resources, H.-Y.A.; data curation, H.-Y.A.; writing-original draft preparation, H.-Y.A. and Y.-S.C.; writing-review and editing, H.-Y.A. and Y.-S.C.; visualization, H.-Y.A.; supervision, H.-Y.A.; project administration, Y.-S.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

A Short Review: Bioactivity of Fermented Rice Bran

“…The results of these studies indicate that fermented rice bran can prevent the incidence of liver damage caused by CCl 4 by increasing the antioxidant activity and decreasing AST and ALT. Another study showed the same results, i.e., a decrease in AST and ALT in the group of mice given fermented rice bran 59) .…”

“…TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β are pro-inflammatory cytokines that can cause colonic tissue damage and ulceration of the large intestine if present in excessive amounts 60) . The supplementation of fermented rice bran can protect the C57BL/6N mice from ulcerative colitis by decreasing TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β, increasing the body weight and stool consistency and reducing intestinal bleeding due to a rise in short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and tryptamine 59) . Another benefit of fermented rice bran is its anti-inflammatory effect which is achieved by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines.…”

“…Rice bran compounds such as γ-oryzanol can lower the cholesterol levels in the blood, lower the LDL cholesterol, and increase the HDL cholesterol. Mice orally administrated with fermented rice bran showed a decrease in TC, TG and LDL and increased blood HDL cholesterol 38,59,63) . Several possible mechanisms can occur in the improvement of lipid fractions in the blood, such as a decrease in lipid and cholesterol absorption as well as cholesterol synthesis and an increase in cholesterol secretion, HDL synthesis or antioxidant activity 63) .…”

Antidiarrheal Effect of Fermented Millet Bran on Diarrhea Induced by Senna Leaf in Mice

“…The ovalbumin (OVA) model showed that fermented rice bran extract reduced TNF-α, interferon (IFN-γ), IL-6, and IL-10 in mice [47]. In a previous study, supplementation of fermented rice bran decreased TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels, thereby increasing body weight and fecal concentration, and reducing intestinal bleeding caused by increased short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and trypamine to protect the C57BL/6N mice from ulcerative colitis [48], consistent with this study.…”