This study aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of probiotic yogurt on lipid metabolism and gut microbiota in metabolic‐related fatty liver disease (MAFLD) golden hamsters fed on a high‐fat diet (HFD). The results demonstrated that probiotic yogurt significantly reversed the adverse effects caused by HFD, such as body and liver weight gain, liver steatosis and damage, sterol deposition, and oxidative stress after 8 weeks of intervention. qRT‐PCR analysis showed that golden hamsters fed HFD had upregulated genes related to adipogenesis, increased free fatty acid infiltration, and downregulated genes related to lipolysis and very low‐density lipoprotein secretion. Probiotic yogurt supplements significantly inhibited HFD‐induced changes in the expression of lipid metabolism‐related genes. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the intestinal content microbiota suggested that probiotic yogurt changed the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota in HFD‐fed hamsters. Probiotic yogurt decreased the ratio of the phyla Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes, the relative abundance of the LPS‐producing genus Desulfovibrio, and bacteria involved in lipid metabolism, whereas it increased the relative abundance of short‐chain fatty acids producing bacteria in HFD‐fed hamsters. Predictive functional analysis of the microbial community showed that probiotic yogurt‐modified genes involved in LPS biosynthesis and lipid metabolism. In summary, these findings support the possibility that probiotic yogurt significantly improves HFD‐induced metabolic disorders through modulating intestinal microflora and lipid metabolism and effectively regulating the occurrence and development of MAFLD. Therefore, probiotic yogurt supplementation may serve as an effective nutrition strategy for the treatment of patients with MAFLD clinically.

Alcohol‑related liver disease (ALD) is a major health concern worldwide. In recent years, there has been growing interest in natural products and functional foods for preventing and treating ALD due to their potential antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. Rosa roxburghii Tratt, known for its rich content of bioactive compounds, has demonstrated promising health benefits, including anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Fermentation has been utilized as a strategy to enhance the bioavailability and efficacy of natural products. In the present study, using a mixture of Rosa roxburghii Tratt juice, lotus leaf extract and grape seed proanthocyanidins fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum HH‑LP56, a novel fermented Rosa roxburghii Tratt (FRRT) juice was discovered that can prevent and regulate ethanol‑induced liver cell damage. Following fermentation, the pH was significantly decreased, and the content of VC and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly increased, along with a noticeable enhancement in hydroxyl and 2,2‑diphenyl‑1‑picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging abilities. Alpha Mouse liver 12 cells were exposed to ethanol for 24 h to establish an in vitro liver cell injury model. The present study evaluated the effects of FRRT on cell damage, lipid accumulation and oxidative stress markers. The results revealed that FRRT pretreatment (cells were pre‑treated with 2.5 and 5 mg/ml FRRT for 2 h) significantly reduced lipid accumulation and oxidative stress in liver cells. Mechanistically, FRRT regulated lipid metabolism by influencing key genes and proteins, such as AMP‑activated protein kinase, sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 and Stearyl‑CoA desaturase‑1. Furthermore, FRRT enhanced antioxidant activity by increasing SOD activity, glutathione and catalase levels, while reducing reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels. It also reversed the expression changes of ethanol‑induced oxidative stress‑related genes and proteins. In conclusion, a novel functional food ingredient may have been discovered with extensive potential applications. These findings indicated that FRRT has antioxidant properties and potential therapeutic benefits in addressing ethanol‑induced liver cell damage through its effects on liver lipid metabolism and oxidative stress.