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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Probiotics as a Dietary Intervention for Reducing the Risk of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

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Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by an increase in triglyceride fat content of liver cells without excessive consumption of alcohol. It is the most predominant liver disease among different age groups including children and adults. Unhealthy foods such as high fructose and high trans-fatty acids in saturated fat seem to be associated with the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Different clusters of gut microbiota, e.g., Firmicutes, could regulate the energy balance and fat storage. Furthermore, different metabolites of gut microbiota, for example, endogenous short chain fatty acids and ethanol, are associated with increased levels of lipogenesis. Additionally, metabolism of endogenous ethanol leads to the formation of acetaldehyde resulting in increased oxidative stress and ultimately inducing liver injury. Lipopolysaccharides of the outer membrane of Gram-negative gut bacteria may also initiate some low grade inflammation in liver tissues. However, few reports from NAFLD patients showed ordinary serum endotoxin levels, excluding endotoxemia from the pathogenesis of NAFLD.