Gut Microbiota-Derived Mediators as Potential Markers in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Figure 1

A schematic figure of the role of gut dysbiosis in the development and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on the basis of the gut-liver axis. Environmental factors as obesity, high fat diet, or infection (among others) may induce intestinal dysbiosis and also increased intestinal permeability (malfunction of tight junctions). Substances such as short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, bacterial components, choline, and endogenous ethanol reach the liver and activation of toll-like receptors (TLRs) occurs. This activation induces insulin resistance, hepatic inflammation, lipogenesis, and oxidative stress, inducing NAFLD. BA, bile acids; LPS, lipopolysaccharides; SCFA, short chain fatty acid; TLR, toll-like receptor; TMAO, trimethylamine oxide.