Microbiome and diseases: Hepatic disorders

Abstract

Intensive research efforts aim to understand the multifaceted molecular mechanisms underlying disease onset and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcohol-induced liver disease (ALD). Taken together, NAFLD and ALD are the most common liver diseases worldwide, and universally accepted therapies other than lifestyle interventions either focusing on weight reduction and physical exercise or alcohol abstinence are lacking. During the last decade, alterations of intestinal microbiota composition and intestinal barrier function leading to an increased translocation of bacterial endotoxin and of metabolites originating from an altered intestinal microbiome are emerging as key pathogenic factors in both diseases. In this book chapter, present knowledge and understanding of the interplay of intestinal microbiota, intestinal barrier function, and the development of nonalcoholic and alcoholic liver diseases, respectively, are summarized.