University of Tehran Press Journal of Veterinary Research 2008-2525 80 4 2025 12 22 Comparing the Effects of Ethanol Consumption and Postbiotics Obtained from Saccharomyces boulardii on Weight and Blood Cholesterol in Male Rats Comparing the Effects of Ethanol Consumption and Postbiotics Obtained from Saccharomyces boulardii on Weight and Blood Cholesterol in Male Rats 259 269 102902 10.22059/jvr.2025.391350.3495 FA Raham Armand Graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran 0009-0009-9257-3212 Jamileh Salar Amoli Department of Comparative Bioscience, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran 0000-0003-2733-8442 Hadi Pourjafar Dietary Supplements and Probiotic Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran 0000-0001-9113-794X Journal Article 2025 06 25 BACKGROUND: The use of ethanol, a metabolic stressor, can lead to increased blood cholesterol levels and weight changes. On the other hand, postbiotics, as metabolic products obtained during the fermentation process by microorganisms such as the yeast <em>Saccharomyces boulardii</em>, have immune and metabolic modulating properties. Today, one of the novel methods to reduce the toxic and side effects of chemicals and some drugs is the use of probiotics and postbiotics.<br />OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare the effects of ethanol consumption and postbiotics obtained from <em>Saccharomyces boulardii</em> on weight changes and blood cholesterol levels in male rats.<br />METHODS: A total of 24 male rats were divided into four groups of 6: Control, postbiotic, ethanol, and ethanol + postbiotic. Their weight and blood cholesterol changes were measured and recorded each week for 40 days. An enzymatic colorimetric method was used to measure blood cholesterol levels.<br />RESULTS: The ethanol consumption significantly increased blood cholesterol levels (<em>P</em>=0.002), while postbiotic consumption alone or in combination with ethanol reduced the cholesterol levels. Also, significant weight loss was observed in the postbiotic receiving groups compared to the control group (<em>P</em><0.001).<br />CONCLUSIONS: Postbiotics, in addition to reducing blood cholesterol and weight loss, can modulate the negative effects of ethanol on weight and blood cholesterol. However, to prove the definitive effects of postbiotics on weight loss and blood cholesterol reduction, as well as their ability to modulate the negative effects of ethanol, additional studies and clinical trials are needed. BACKGROUND: The use of ethanol, a metabolic stressor, can lead to increased blood cholesterol levels and weight changes. On the other hand, postbiotics, as metabolic products obtained during the fermentation process by microorganisms such as the yeast <em>Saccharomyces boulardii</em>, have immune and metabolic modulating properties. Today, one of the novel methods to reduce the toxic and side effects of chemicals and some drugs is the use of probiotics and postbiotics.<br />OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare the effects of ethanol consumption and postbiotics obtained from <em>Saccharomyces boulardii</em> on weight changes and blood cholesterol levels in male rats.<br />METHODS: A total of 24 male rats were divided into four groups of 6: Control, postbiotic, ethanol, and ethanol + postbiotic. Their weight and blood cholesterol changes were measured and recorded each week for 40 days. An enzymatic colorimetric method was used to measure blood cholesterol levels.<br />RESULTS: The ethanol consumption significantly increased blood cholesterol levels (<em>P</em>=0.002), while postbiotic consumption alone or in combination with ethanol reduced the cholesterol levels. Also, significant weight loss was observed in the postbiotic receiving groups compared to the control group (<em>P</em><0.001).<br />CONCLUSIONS: Postbiotics, in addition to reducing blood cholesterol and weight loss, can modulate the negative effects of ethanol on weight and blood cholesterol. However, to prove the definitive effects of postbiotics on weight loss and blood cholesterol reduction, as well as their ability to modulate the negative effects of ethanol, additional studies and clinical trials are needed. https://jvr.ut.ac.ir/article_102902_c195ef012df313fdaf8a36f5141339ea.pdf