International journal of biological macromoleculesDec 10, 2024

Large sugar molecules from Ganoderma lucidum reduce inflammation, gut bacteria changes, and liver metabolism in mice with liver injury caused by bacterial toxins

Updated Feb 18, 2026

Abstract

GLPH intervention (100 mg/kg day) reduced serum ALT levels to 22.67 ± 6.48 U/L in ALI mice.

GLPH treatment resulted in decreased levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT) in acute liver injury mice.
The intervention enhanced the activity of liver antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase and catalase.
GLPH suppressed the production of inflammatory cytokines associated with liver injury.
Changes in gut microbiota abundance were observed, with increased levels of beneficial bacteria linked to liver health.
GLPH significantly altered 85 liver metabolites, indicating potential metabolic benefits in preventing acute liver injury.

Simplified

High molecular weight polysaccharides (GLPH, ≥300 kDa) are the major compounds of Ganoderma lucidum with improving liver function. However, the effect of GLPH on improving acute liver injury (ALI) wasn't revealed. Herein, the ameliorating effects and mechanisms of GLPH were revealed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-ALI mice. The results indicated that GLPH intervention (100 mg/kg day) reduced the serum ALT (22.67 ± 6.48 U/L), AST (21.19 ± 7.08 U/L), ALP (56.98 ± 12.71 U/L), GGT (1.48 ± 0.22 U/L) levels in ALI mice (p < 0.01). GLPH activated the hepatic antioxidant enzymes activity [SOD (3.75 ± 1.17 U/mg prot.) and CAT (3.01 ± 0.85 U/mg prot.)] and suppressed the hepatic inflammatory cytokines production [TNF-α (40.14 ± 8.15 pg/mg prot.), IL-1β (35.47 ± 10.90 pg/mg prot.), and IL-6 (8.44 ± 1.71 pg/mg prot.)] by regulating the Nrf2/OH-1 and Tlr4/NF-κB pathway (p < 0.05). Furthermore, GLPH regulated the abundance of Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia, Anaerovorax, and Tyzzerella, which associated with cecal SCFAs, hepatic inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant enzymes. GLPH significantly changed 85 liver metabolites (p < 0.01), which is beneficial for prevent the development of ALI. These results suggested GLPH displayed promising prebiotic properties in relieving ALI, regulating gut microbiota and liver metabolism.

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Declaration of competing interest The authors have declared that no conflict of interest.

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