The role of bile acid metabolism in the occurrence and development of NAFLD

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the important causes of cirrhosis and liver cancer, resulting in a huge medical burden worldwide. Currently, effective non-invasive diagnostic indicators and drugs for NAFLD are still lacking. With the development of metabolomics technology, the changes in metabolites during the development of NAFLD have been gradually revealed. Bile acid (BA) is the main endpoint of cholesterol metabolism in the body. In addition, it also acts as a signaling factor to regulate metabolism and inflammation in the body through the farnesyl X receptor and G protein-coupled BA receptor. Studies have shown that BA metabolism is associated with the development of NAFLD, but a large number of animal and clinical studies are still needed. BA homeostasis is maintained through multiple negative feedback loops and the enterohepatic circulation of BA. Recently, treatment of NAFLD by interfering with BA synthesis and metabolism has become a new research direction. Here, we review the changes in BA metabolism and its regulatory mechanisms during the development of NAFLD and describe the potential of studies exploring novel non-invasive diagnostic indicators and therapeutic targets for NAFLD based on BA metabolism.

Prediagnostic plasma metabolite concentrations and liver cancer risk: a population-based study of Chinese men

“… 60 Except for liver cancer, alterations in bile acid homeostasis could also be led by other hepatobiliary diseases, such as liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and NAFLD. 11 , 61 , 62 Nevertheless, we observed similar associations in participants without prevalent hepatobiliary diseases. This suggested that the associations between circulating bile acids and liver cancer risk might not be solely attributed to these diseases.…”

Combined analysis of 16S rDNA sequencing and metabolomics to find biomarkers of drug-induced liver injury

“…The treatment of NAFLD by interfering with BA synthesis and metabolism has become a new research direction. But we didn’t find BA metabolism enriched pathway in our results 47 . These data showed that the BA metabolism was not the main process in development of DILI.…”

Zhuyu Pill Alleviates Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Regulating Bile Acid Metabolism through the Gut–Liver Axis

“…BAs play a crucial role in clearing cholesterol and preventing the buildup of harmful substances, such as TG, cholesterol, and toxic compounds, which can cause damage to the liver and other organs . Additionally, BAs also function as signaling molecules that regulate metabolism and inflammation and contribute to the inflammatory response in both liver and other tissues . In our study, we analyzed fecal samples to investigate changes in the profile of BA metabolites.…”