Researchers tested whether Lisosan G, a fermented wheat product, could help protect liver health in rats with different types of liver damage. They found that this natural supplement changed how fats move through the bloodstream and reduced inflammation markers in damaged livers. The effects were strongest in rats with liver cancer. While these results are promising, this was an animal study, so we don’t yet know if the same benefits would happen in people. The findings suggest that natural supplements might work differently depending on how healthy your liver already is.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a fermented wheat product called Lisosan G could improve blood fat levels and reduce liver inflammation in rats with healthy livers, damaged livers, or liver cancer.
  • Who participated: 72 female rats divided into 9 groups. Each group had a different liver condition (healthy, damaged from surgery, or with cancer) and received different amounts of the supplement or no supplement.
  • Key finding: Lisosan G changed how fats were distributed in the blood in different ways depending on the liver’s condition. In rats with liver cancer, it reduced an inflammation marker called TGF-β1 by up to 50% at the higher dose, suggesting it may help protect against liver damage.
  • What it means for you: This animal research suggests fermented wheat products might help protect damaged livers, but we need human studies to know if this works in people. Don’t use this as a treatment for liver disease without talking to your doctor first.

The Research Details

Scientists used 72 female rats and divided them into 9 groups based on two factors: their liver condition and their diet. Some rats had healthy livers, some had livers damaged by surgery, and some had liver cancer. Within each liver condition group, some rats ate normal food, some ate normal food with 2.5% fermented wheat product, and some ate normal food with 5% fermented wheat product. The researchers then measured the types and amounts of fats in the rats’ blood and checked inflammation levels in their livers.

To measure blood fats, they used a special laboratory technique that separates different types of cholesterol and fat particles. They measured four different types of fat-carrying particles in the blood: VLDL, LDL, and two types of HDL. For each particle type, they measured cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides. They also measured a specific inflammation protein in the liver called TGF-β1 using a standard laboratory test.

This approach allowed researchers to see not just whether total blood fats changed, but how the supplement affected different types of fats in different ways depending on the liver’s starting condition.

This study design is important because it tests whether a supplement works the same way in everyone or whether it works differently depending on your health status. Most supplement studies only test healthy people, but this research specifically looked at how the supplement behaves in damaged livers. This is more realistic for people considering supplements as part of liver disease treatment.

This was a controlled animal study, which means researchers carefully controlled all variables and used proper laboratory techniques. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other scientists reviewed it before publication. However, animal studies don’t always produce the same results in humans. The study used a reasonable sample size (72 rats) and measured multiple outcomes, which strengthens the findings. The researchers also looked at dose-response relationships (testing two different amounts of the supplement), which helps determine if more supplement means more effect.

What the Results Show

The supplement Lisosan G changed blood fat levels, but the changes depended heavily on the liver’s condition. In healthy rats, the supplement caused modest changes in fat distribution without dramatically lowering overall cholesterol. In rats with surgically damaged livers, the supplement caused more noticeable changes in blood fats, including increases in certain fat particles and changes in how cholesterol was distributed among different fat carriers.

In rats with liver cancer, the supplement had the strongest effects. It increased certain types of LDL (the ‘bad’ cholesterol particle) but also changed HDL (the ‘good’ cholesterol) in ways that might be protective. The most important finding was that the supplement reduced TGF-β1, an inflammation protein linked to liver scarring and cancer, by approximately 50% at the higher dose in cancer-affected livers.

The inflammation reduction was dose-dependent in cancer livers, meaning higher doses of the supplement produced stronger effects. This suggests the supplement wasn’t just a random effect but had a real biological impact. The changes in blood fats were more complex and didn’t follow simple patterns, suggesting the supplement affects multiple pathways in fat metabolism.

The study found that the supplement affected different types of HDL cholesterol differently. In healthy rats, it changed how cholesterol was split between two HDL subtypes. In damaged livers, these changes were even more pronounced. The supplement also increased certain triglycerides (a type of blood fat) in VLDL particles across all liver conditions, suggesting this might be a consistent effect. Interestingly, the supplement’s effects on blood fats were often opposite to what you might expect from a supplement designed to lower cholesterol, but the inflammation reduction in damaged livers was consistent and strong.

Previous research showed that fermented wheat products have antioxidant (anti-damage) and anti-inflammatory properties in test tubes and cell cultures. This study confirms that these properties might work in living organisms and specifically in the context of liver disease. However, most previous studies looked at general inflammation, while this study specifically measured TGF-β1, which is particularly important for liver scarring. The finding that supplements work differently in healthy versus damaged livers is relatively new and suggests that previous studies in healthy animals or people might have missed important effects that only appear when the body is already stressed.

This study only used female rats, so we don’t know if male rats or humans would respond the same way. The study didn’t measure whether the supplement actually prevented liver cancer from developing or slowed its growth—it only measured blood fats and inflammation markers. The researchers couldn’t determine whether the supplement changed how the liver makes and releases fats or whether it changed how the body removes fats from the blood. The study didn’t look at long-term effects or whether the benefits would continue if the supplement was given for longer periods. Finally, this is an animal study, so results may not apply to humans, who have different metabolism and liver biology.

The Bottom Line

Based on this animal research, fermented wheat products show promise for potentially supporting liver health in damaged livers, particularly those with cancer. However, this is preliminary evidence from rats only. If you have liver disease, discuss any supplement use with your doctor before starting. The evidence is not yet strong enough to recommend this supplement as a treatment. More human studies are needed before firm recommendations can be made. Current confidence level: Low to Moderate for animal evidence; Insufficient for human application.

This research is most relevant to people with liver disease, particularly those with liver damage or liver cancer, and their healthcare providers. Researchers studying liver disease and natural supplements should also pay attention to these findings. People with healthy livers probably don’t need to consider this supplement based on current evidence. Anyone considering supplements for liver health should consult their doctor, as some supplements can actually harm the liver.

This study measured effects after the supplement was given for a specific period in rats, but the exact timeline wasn’t clearly stated in the abstract. In humans, if similar effects occurred, you might expect to see changes in inflammation markers within weeks to months, but this is speculative. Long-term effects and whether benefits would continue with continued use are unknown.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If a user has liver disease and their doctor approves supplement use, track weekly liver inflammation markers (if available through blood tests) and monthly liver function tests. Also track any symptoms like fatigue, abdominal discomfort, or changes in appetite that might indicate liver status changes.
  • Users could log daily fermented wheat product consumption (if approved by their doctor) and correlate it with monthly liver function test results. The app could send reminders for regular blood work to monitor liver health and inflammation markers over time.
  • Establish a baseline of liver function tests and inflammation markers before starting any supplement. Then track these markers monthly for the first 3 months, then quarterly. Create a dashboard showing trends in liver function over time. Alert users if markers worsen, suggesting the need to contact their doctor. Track any side effects or symptoms daily.

This research was conducted in rats and has not been tested in humans. Lisosan G is not approved by the FDA as a treatment for any disease. Do not use this information to self-treat liver disease. If you have liver disease or are considering any supplement, consult your healthcare provider before use, as some supplements can harm the liver or interact with medications. This summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always discuss supplement use with your doctor, especially if you have existing liver conditions or take medications.