Role of oxidative stress, gut microbiota and derived metabolites in the etiology and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD is a complex and multifactorial liver disease that is affecting a majority of the world’s population now more than ever. The review focuses on two major contributing factors in the etiology of the disease – oxidative stress and the gut microbiota. There is a complex interplay between oxidative stress and the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Oxidative stress in NAFLD can result from both the accumulation of lipids in the liver and the interactions between gut-derived metabolites and the liver. Dysbiosis in the gut microbiota can contribute to oxidative stress by promoting the production of reactive oxygen species and altering the balance of antioxidant systems. This interplay between oxidative stress and the gut microbiota can create a vicious cycle, where dysbiosis contributes to oxidative stress, and oxidative stress further promotes dysbiosis, exacerbating liver damage in NAFLD. Understanding the intricate relationship between oxidative stress, the gut microbiota, and NAFLD is essential for developing targeted therapeutic strategies. In this context, more scientific research is required to unravel the complex and interconnecting pathways underlying NAFLD pathogenesis and progression. Modulating the gut microbiota through dietary interventions, prebiotics, probiotics, and change in lifestyle may help restore microbial balance and reduce oxidative stress in NAFLD.