Gut Microbiota of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has been rapidly increasing worldwide. It has become a leading cause of liver transplantation. Accumulating evidence suggests a significant role for gut microbiota in its development and progression. Here we review the effect of gut microbiota on developing hepatic fatty infiltration and its progression. Current literature supports a possible role for gut microbiota in the development of liver steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. We also review the literature on possible interventions for NAFLD that target the gut microbiota.

Visceral adiposity predicts post‐operative Crohn's disease recurrence

“…Increased visceral adipose tissue is associated with alterations in gut microbial population ratios, with similar alterations present in inflammatory bowel disease . This interplay between an altered microbiota and host immune system is another possible mechanism of visceral adiposity being associated with Crohn's disease recurrence.…”

Gut microbiome and liver diseases

“…A recent review by Abdou et al 38 discusses multiple studies performed in humans showing that dysbiosis is accompanied by an abnormal shift of the gut microbiota as compared with healthy individuals. However, there is still no clear consistency or specificity towards key gut microbes to explain predisposition to develop NAFLD.…”

Food Additives and Contaminants: Effects on Human Gut Microbiota—A Review

“…In addition to the conversion of complex carbohydrates into absorbable substrates, the GM also benefits the human host by producing SCFAs, with great impact in the colonic epithelial cells maintenance, and vitamins, like vitamin K, as well as most of the water-soluble B vitamins, such as biotin, cobalamin, folates, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin and thiamine [12]. In contrast to dietary vitamins, which are absorbed in the proximal tract of the small intestine (SI), the predominant uptake of microbially produced vitamins occurs in the colon.…”

“…Colonic bacteria can hydrolyze choline to form dimethylamine and trimethylamine, which are precursors of dimethylnitrosamine [12], a potent hepatotoxin, and carcinogen.…”

“…The GM play an important role in several human diseases, such as obesity [4,5], diabetes [6,7], cancer [8,9], cardiovascular diseases [10] metabolic syndrome [1,3,11] non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [12,13] and in several psychiatric disorders [14,15]. Gut microbes produce a large number of bioactive compounds that can influence human health.…”