Gellan gum prevents non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by modulating the gut microbiota and metabolites.

• The first approach of gellan gum to liver health benefit. • Gellan gum was able to ameliorate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in high fat-fed mice. • Protein expression related to hepatic inflammation and lipid metabolism was improved. • Gut environment changed by increasing the beneficial bacteria and metabolites. • Changed gut microbiota alter the fatty liver-related markers and short-chain fatty acids. Gellan gum (GG) is an anionic polysaccharide used as an additive in the food industry. However, the effect of GG on gut microbiota regulation and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not yet been investigated. In vitro fermentation experiments have demonstrated that GG promoted the growth of probiotic strains such as Lactiplantibacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium bifidum , producing metabolites beneficial to gut health. In mice, GG reduced hepatic triglyceride content, serum biomarkers, and body fat mass and weight gain induced by a high fat diet. Additionally, GG regulated the gut microbiota including Desulfovibrionales, Deferribacterales, Bacteroidales, and Lactobacillales at the order level and also promoted short-chain fatty acid production. Moreover, GG improved the expression of proteins related to hepatic inflammation and lipid metabolism. Taken together, GG ameliorated NAFLD, possibly by acting on the gut–liver axis via improving the gut health, indicating its potential as a food supplement and/or prebiotic against NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]