Advancements in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a series of diseases, involving excessive lipid deposition in the liver and is often accompanied by obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, abnormal blood pressure, and other metabolic disorders. In order to more accurately reflect its pathogenesis, an international consensus renamed NAFLD in 2020 as metabolic (dysfunction) associated with fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The changes in diet and lifestyle are recognized the non-drug treatment strategies; however, due to the complex pathogenesis of NAFLD, the current drug therapies are mainly focused on its pathogenic factors, key links of pathogenesis, and related metabolic disorders as targets. There is still a lack of specific drugs. In clinical studies, the common NAFLD treatments include the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism to protect the liver and anti-inflammation. The NAFLD treatments based on the enterohepatic axis, targeting gut microbiota, are gradually emerging, and various new metabolism-regulating drugs are also under clinical development. Therefore, this review article has comprehensively discussed the research advancements in NAFLD treatment in recent years.

Association of five diet scores with severe NAFLD incidence: A prospective study from UK Biobank

“…Yet, further research is needed to identify if a healthier diet may protect the liver against the effect of alcohol in people without liver damage. Regarding central obesity, obesity is a known metabolic risk factor associated with NAFLD 7,9 . Therefore, similar to participants with higher alcohol intake levels, those with central obesity may benefit most from a healthier diet.…”

“…4 As a result, it is unsurprising that diet plays a crucial role in preventing or causing NAFLD. [5][6][7][8] As no specific pharmacotherapy treatment for NAFLD exists, 9 lifestyle modifications are still the first line recommendation for prevention and treatment. 10,11 Individual foods and nutrients are not consumed in isolation.…”

The effect of synbiotics in patients with NAFLD: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…journals.sagepub.com/home/tag TherapeuTic advances in Gastroenterology agonists, and Thyroid hormone receptor-beta agonists. 34,35 Hence, it means synbiotic need to be considered carefully and thoroughly tested to determine its value.…”

Effects of dietary supplementation of fish oil plus vitamin D3 on gut microbiota and fecal metabolites, and their correlation with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease risk factors: a randomized controlled trial

“…Mounting evidence indicates that dysbiosis in gut microbiota participates in initiation and development of NAFLD 14 and contributes to dyslipidemia and IR, finally leading to NAFLD by mediating the gut-liver axis. 15,16 Therefore, in this study, we explored the effects of fish oil plus vitamin D 3 supplementation on gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in NAFLD subjects. Furthermore, to understand the underlying mechanisms, correlation analyses were conducted to explore the association between gut microbiota and metabolites with clinical parameters.…”