A Synbiotic Ameliorates Con A‐Induced Autoimmune Hepatitis in Mice through Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Immune Imbalance

Scope Changes in the intestinal flora are related to autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) development. The aim of this study is to investigate the synergistic effects of probiotics and prebiotics on liver injury induced by concanavalin A (Con A). Methods and results C57BL/6 mice are fed probiotics (Pro), prebiotics (Pre), synbiotic (Syn) for 7 days and then Con A is injected via tail veins to induce AIH. Additionally, methylprednisolone (MP) is gavaged 0.5 h after the Con A injection. It is found that both Pro, Pre, Syn, and MP decrease the levels of serum transaminase, liver F4/80+ macrophage cells, and hepatocellular apoptosis. Pro, Pre, and Syn decrease proinflammatory cytokines, elevate levels of anti‐inflammatory as well as restored immune imbalance in AIH. Besides, Pro, Pre, and Syn not only reshape the perturbed gut microbiota, but also maintain intestinal barrier integrity, block the activation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/TLR4/NF‐κB pathway in the liver. Interestingly, the effects of Syn are superior to Pro or Pre alone in Con A‐induced acute liver injury. Conclusions Syn obviously facilitates AIH remission. The combined use of Pro and Pre is effective in improving Pro and Pre efficacy and can be an important tool for preventing and adjuvant treating patients for AIH. Protective mechanisms of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotic against the AIH. The probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotic restore immune imbalance, intestinal flora, and intestinal barrier to inhibit bacteria and LPS transfer to the liver as well as inhibit the activation of the TLR4/NF‐κB pathway and the production of inflammatory factors in the liver.