Treatment Strategy of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Targeting the Intestinal Microbiota

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common chronic liver disease, represents a spectrum of nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent studies have revealed that the gut-liver axis is associated with the development of NAFLD. Intervention measures such as exercise, diet, microecological preparations, antibiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation and bacteriophage can alleviate NAFLD by improving intestinal microbiota. We reviewed recent advances in the relationship and mechanism between intestinal microbiota and NAFLD as well as treatment of NAFLD targeting the intestinal microbiota, and summarized that intestinal microbiota is closely related to NAFLD, and the regulation of intestinal microbiota can be used as a new target for NAFLD treatment, which will provide new ideas and references for clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD.

Keywords

• non-alcoholic fatty liver disease|gastrointestinal microbiome|intestinal flora|therapy|metabolic syndrome|microecological preparation|fecal microbiota transplantation