2 / 16
Page 20
allied
academies
Nov 15-16, 2018 | Paris, France
Gastroenterology and Digestive Disorders
International Conference on
Journal of Gastroenterology and Digestive Diseases | Volume 3
The role of the Gut microbiota in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Ahmed Abu Shanab
Birmingham UK
I
mportant metabolic functions have been identified for
the gut microbiota in health and disease. Several lines
of evidence suggest a role for the gut microbiota in both
the etiology of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
and progression to its more advanced state, nonalcoholic
steatohepatitis (NASH). Both NAFLD and NASH are strongly
linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and the metabolic
syndrome and, accordingly, have become commonworldwide
problems. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth of Gram-
negative organisms could promote insulin resistance, increase
endogenous ethanol production and induce choline deficiency,
all factors implicated inNAFLD. Among the potential mediators
of this association, lipopolysaccharide (a component of
Gram-negative bacterial cell walls) exerts relevant metabolic
and proinflammatory effects. Although the best evidence
to support a role for the gut microbiota in NAFLD and NASH
comes largely from animal models, data from studies in
humans (albeit at times contradictory) is accumulating and
could lead to new therapeutic avenues for these highly
prevalent conditions.
e
:
shanabu17@hotmail.com