Role of gut microbiota and tryptophan metabolism in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease / 临床肝胆病杂志

ABSTRACT

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a manifestation of multi-system dysfunction involving the liver, ranging from simple hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. An increasing number of studies have shown the importance of the changes in gut microbiota dysbiosis and its metabolites in NAFLD. Tryptophan and its derivatives produced by gut microbiota have the effects on improving intestinal barrier function, regulating abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism, and alleviating insulin resistance and inflammatory response. This article reviews gut microbiota, tryptophan and its metabolites, and the effect of their interaction on NAFLD.