摘要Background:Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by liver steatosis,inflammation,and even fibrosis.NASH is likely to develop into cirrhosis and liver can-cer,the major causes of liver related deaths.We aimed to study the effect of probiot-ics on NASH via the gut-liver axis.Methods:Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups.A con-trol group of 10 rats was fed on a standard chow for 16 weeks.Twenty rats fed on a high-fat diet for 8 weeks were separated to two groups: a model group (10 rats) fed on vehicle for 8 weeks and a treatment group (10 rats) supplemented with binary Bacillus subtilis for 8 weeks.Hepatic expression of IL-6 and TNF-ɑ and ileum expression of IL-17 and occludin were measured.Results:The high-fat diet caused inflammation of the liver and ileum in rats.Binary Bacillus subtilis treatment reduces liver inflammation through the intestinal liver axis.Increased levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were detected in rats fed a high-fat diet,which were reduced to lower levels after treatment with binary Bacillus subtilis .In rats on the high-fat diet,elevated IL-17 levels and decreased occludin levels were observed.Treatment with Bacillus subtilis reduced IL-17 levels and restored the expression of occludin.Conclusion:Binary Bacillus subtilis has a beneficial effect on liver inflammation and intestinal damage.