Dietary soy protein reverses obesity-induced liver steatosis and alters fecal microbial composition independent of isoflavone level.

Introduction: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a major public health concern that is exacerbated by the obesity pandemic. Dietary interventions have the potential to alleviate obesity-associated MASLD through variable mechanisms, including optimizing the gut microbiota. Previously, we reported that soy protein concentrate (SPC) with low or high levels of isoflavone (LIF or HIF) protected young obese Zucker rats from developing liver steatosis.

Soy Protein Concentrate Diets Inversely Affect LPS-Binding Protein Expression in Colon and Liver, Reduce Liver Inflammation, and Increase Fecal LPS Excretion in Obese Zucker Rats.

Dietary soy protein and soy isoflavones have anti-inflammatory properties. Previously, we reported that feeding soy protein concentrate diet (SPC) with low or high isoflavone (LIF or HIF) to young (seven-week-old) obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS) translocation and decreases liver inflammation compared to a casein control (CAS) diet. The current study investigated whether SPC-LIF and SPC-HIF diets would reduce liver inflammation in adult obese Zucker rats fed a CAS diet.

Feeding soy protein concentrates with low or high isoflavone decreases liver inflammation by reducing lipopolysaccharide translocation.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) translocation and inflammation contribute to the increased risk of chronic diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), associated with obesity. Previously, we reported that feeding soy protein with high or low (negligible) isoflavone reduces liver steatosis in obese Zucker rats, and the reduced steatosis is accompanied by decreased serum C-reactive protein levels. The current study investigated the effect of feeding soy protein concentrate (SPC) with high or low isoflavone (HIF or LIF) on liver inflammation and LPS translocation in obese Zucker rats.

Long-Term Feeding Soy Protein Concentrates Protect Against Hepatic Steatosis Independent of Isoflavone Levels.

The health benefits of soy foods are attributed to the high-quality protein and the bioactive compounds such as isoflavones. We previously reported that feeding obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats soy protein concentrates (SPCs) with low isoflavone (LIF) and high isoflavone (HIF) for 9 weeks significantly reduced liver steatosis compared to a casein control (C) diet. The current study extended the dietary treatments to 18 weeks to investigate the long-term effect of LIF and HIF SPC diets.

Effect of Metformin Treatment on Serum Metabolic Profile Changes in Lean and Obese Zucker Rat Model for Fatty Liver Disease.

Excessive weight and obesity are the leading risk factors for the development of chronic diseases, including diabetes. Metformin is capable of significantly improving coexisting complications of diabetes. We used a metabolomics approach to examine the effects of metformin administration on lean and obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats.