Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and the Gut Microbiota: Exploring the Connection

Abstract

As the gut microbiota continues to be implicated in an increasing number of disease
processes, a plethora of new literature surrounding its complexity and role in the maintenance
of intestinal homeostasis has become available. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
has become the most common nonviral liver disease worldwide and a number of predisposing
risk factors for NAFLD have been identified, including obesity and insulin resistance. Recent
evidence supports a role for the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of these risk factors and
NAFLD, itself. Additionally, changes in the gut microbiota can lead to activation of immune
responses that have the potential to promote progression of NAFLD to the more severe Nonalcoholic
steatohepatitis (NASH). Furthermore, the gut microbiota may serve as a potential
target for therapeutic options to treat NAFLD. This review seeks to explain the role of the gut
microbiota in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and its risk factors, while also discussing potential
future treatment options directed at correcting imbalances with in the gut microbiota.