Weizmannia coagulans BC99 alleviates alcohol-induced oxidative stress and gut barrier dysfunction via modulation of butyrate metabolism: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigated the effects of Weizmannia coagulans BC99 on alcohol-related physiological disturbances in adults with chronic alcohol consumers. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to receive either BC99 or placebo for 60 days. Compared with placebo, BC99 supplementation significantly increased the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)1 and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)2, indicating enhanced ethanol metabolism. BC99 improved serum lipid profiles, reflected by a significant reduction in triglycerides (TG)3. BC99 markedly alleviated oxidative stress, as shown by increased serum superoxide dismutase (SOD)4 and glutathione (GSH)5 and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA)6 and P450 2E1 (CYP2E1)7 levels. Serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS)8 concentrations were significantly reduced, suggesting improved intestinal barrier integrity. Fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)9, particularly butyrate, increased substantially following BC99 intervention. Untargeted serum metabolomics identified 590 differentially regulated metabolites after BC99 supplementation. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed significant modulation of metabolic pathways, including butyrate metabolism, purine metabolism, and histidine metabolism. Metabolites involved in butyrate metabolism were negatively correlated with LPS and oxidative stress biomarkers, indicating a potential mechanistic link between enhanced SCFA metabolism and improved systemic oxidative and inflammatory status. Collectively, BC99 supplementation improved alcohol metabolism, reduced oxidative stress, and supported intestinal barrier function in chronic alcohol consumers. These findings suggest that modulation of butyrate-related metabolic pathways may contribute to the protective effects of BC99, supporting its potential as a therapeutic probiotic for alcohol-related health disturbances.