The gut-liver axis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: molecular mechanisms and new targets

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the world's most common liver disease and the incidence is continuously rising. While obesity is the most important risk factor for development of NAFLD, recent data show that in addition to genetic factors and western diet, the gut-liver axis and especially the intestinal microbiota play a key role during disease progression. An unfavorable composition of the microbiota not only affects liver metabolism, but also modulates the inflammatory microenvironment in the liver through microbial molecules and metabolites. A better understanding of these molecular circuits may unearth promising targets for future diagnostics and therapy.