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The Role of Gut Microbiome-Targeted Therapy in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

  • Fatty Liver Disease (D Halegoua-DeMarzio, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Hepatology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

To review the role and progress of microbiome-targeting therapies in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This review summarizes recent clinical trials of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and analyzes the potential clinical impact of reverse dysbiosis in NAFLD.

Recent Findings

Though results might be mixed, the recent randomized clinical trials and systemic reviews indicate probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics are promising therapies that improve transaminitis and hepatic steatosis. The scarcity of FMT clinical trials limits the power to conclude the direct impact of FMT on NAFLD.

Summary

Given the rapidly growing prevalence of NAFLD and the lack of effective pharmacological intervention, there is an urgent need for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Despite the advancements in and promising results of gut microbiome (GM) restoring remedies, further studies are needed to assess their beneficial efficacy, safety, and sustainability to develop novel pharmacologic approaches to NAFLD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Thomas Jefferson University, 132 South 10th Street, #450, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Chencheng Xie & Dina Halegoua-DeMarzio

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  1. Chencheng Xie
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  2. Dina Halegoua-DeMarzio
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Correspondence to Dina Halegoua-DeMarzio.

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Xie, C., Halegoua-DeMarzio, D. The Role of Gut Microbiome-Targeted Therapy in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Curr Hepatology Rep 19, 420–428 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-020-00547-5

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