Gut microbiota-mitochondrial inter-talk in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

The increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is a progressive disease, has exerted huge a healthcare burden worldwide. New investigations have suggested that the gut microbiota closely participates in the progression of NAFLD through the gut-liver axis or gut-brain-liver axis. The composition of the microbiota can be altered by multiple factors, primarily dietary style, nutritional supplements, or exercise. Recent evidence has revealed that gut microbiota is involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and energy metabolism in the liver by regulating crucial transcription factors, enzymes, or genes. Moreover, microbiota metabolites can also affect mitochondrial oxidative stress function and swallow formation, subsequently controlling the inflammatory response and regulating the levels of inflammatory cytokines, which are the predominant regulators of NAFLD. This review focuses on the changes in the composition of the gut microbiota and metabolites as well as the cross-talk between gut microbiota and mitochondrial function. We thus aim to comprehensively explore the potential mechanisms of gut microbiota in NAFLD and potential therapeutic strategies targeting NAFLD management.

Automated summary

The increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a significant healthcare burden worldwide. Recent investigations have shown that the gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the progression of NAFLD through the gut-liver axis or gut-brain-liver axis. The composition of the microbiota can be influenced by various factors, including dietary style, nutritional supplements, or exercise. Additionally, microbiota metabolites can impact mitochondrial function and inflammatory response, which are important factors in NAFLD.