Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and the Gut Microbiota: Exploring the Connection
Journal Title: Gastro - Open Journal - Year 2015, Vol 1, Issue 2
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.
Authors and Affiliations
David A. Johnson
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP555907
- DOI 10.17140/GOJ-1-107
- Views 114
- Downloads 0
A Multicenter UK Study on Trainee Involvement in Clinical Audit: Is it an Effective Contribution to Service Quality Improvement or a Portfolio Generating Activity?
Aims: The primary purpose of audit is to improve quality of care, but it is also considered educationally valuable. Audits are often sought in job applications and also form annual review targets. The study aimed to exam...
The Histamine H4 Receptor: A Novel Target for Safe Anti-inflammatory Drugs?
The functional role of histamine H4 receptors (H4Rs) in the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract is reviewed, with particular reference to their involvement in the regulation of gastric mucosal defense and inflammation. H4Rs have...
Overriding Elements in Colon Cancer Progression: Some Less Known Facts
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most life threatening disease with escalating mortality and morbidity. Some known causative factors include lifestyle, alcohol etc. but there are other aspects like long standing col...
Analysis of the Intracellular Zinc in HCV Replicon
Aim: In patients with chronic liver injury, metabolic disturbance of zinc was frequently observed and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication is crucially involved with zinc metabolism. In vitro HCV replication system, HCV r...
Brunner Gland Cyst: Two Cases of a Rare Entity and Review of the Literature
Objective: Brunner gland cysts are rare with only 14 cases reported in the literature. The term has been used to consolidate the following entities: Brunner’s gland cyst, cystic Brunner’s gland hamartoma, Brunner’s gland...