Research progress regarding the effect and mechanism of dietary phenolic acids for improving nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via gut microbiota

Abstract

Phenolic acids (PAs), a class of small bioactive molecules widely distributed in food and mainly found as secondary plant metabolites, present significant advantages such as antioxidant activity and other health benefits. The global epidemic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a serious public health problem. Existing studies showed that gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis is highly associated with the occurrence and development of NAFLD. In recent years, progress has been made in the study of the relationship among PA compounds, GM, and NAFLD. PAs can regulate the composition and functions of the GM to promote human health, while GM can increase the dietary sources of PAs and improve its bioavailability. This paper discussed PAs, GM, and their interrelationship while introducing several representative dietary PA sources and examining the absorption and metabolism of PAs mediated by GM. It also summarizes the effect and mechanisms of PAs in improving and regulating NAFLD via GM and their metabolites. This helps to better evaluate the potential preventive effect of PAs on NAFLD via the regulation of GM and expands the utilization of PAs and PA‐rich food resources.

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) in Health and Disease: A Critical Review

“…Oxidative stress, inflammation, and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) contribute to the development of hypertension [ 118 ]. The use of açaí seed extract can exhibit antihypertensive effects in mice fed a high-fat diet, as shown by Santos et al [ 164 , 165 , 166 ]. In this study, animals were treated with açaí seed extract (300 mg/kg per day) and enalapril, a common antihypertensive drug.…”

“…Despite the multifactorial onset and progression of NAFLD, specific intracellular contributory factors, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, altered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis, and apoptosis, have been identified [ 115 ]. Therefore, the phenolic compounds of açaí are regarded as prospective therapeutic agents in the treatment of NAFLD due to their high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities [ 47 , 163 , 164 , 165 ]. Freitas et al [ 115 ] tested the actions of an aqueous açaí extract in HepG2 cells and its effects on inflammation, oxidative stress, and ER stress.…”