From Dysbiosis to Hepatic Inflammation: A Narrative Review on the Diet-Microbiota-Liver Axis in Steatotic Liver Disease

The gut microbiota has emerged as a critical player in metabolic and liver health, with its influence extending to the pathogenesis and progression of steatotic liver diseases. This review delves into the gut-liver axis, a dynamic communication network linking the gut microbiome and liver through me...

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Main Authors: Andrea Pasta, Elena Formisano, Francesco Calabrese, Elisa Marabotto, Manuele Furnari, Giorgia Bodini, Maria Corina Plaz Torres, Livia Pisciotta, Edoardo Giovanni Giannini, Patrizia Zentilin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Microorganisms
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/2/241
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author Andrea Pasta
Elena Formisano
Francesco Calabrese
Elisa Marabotto
Manuele Furnari
Giorgia Bodini
Maria Corina Plaz Torres
Livia Pisciotta
Edoardo Giovanni Giannini
Patrizia Zentilin
author_facet Andrea Pasta
Elena Formisano
Francesco Calabrese
Elisa Marabotto
Manuele Furnari
Giorgia Bodini
Maria Corina Plaz Torres
Livia Pisciotta
Edoardo Giovanni Giannini
Patrizia Zentilin
author_sort Andrea Pasta
collection DOAJ
description The gut microbiota has emerged as a critical player in metabolic and liver health, with its influence extending to the pathogenesis and progression of steatotic liver diseases. This review delves into the gut-liver axis, a dynamic communication network linking the gut microbiome and liver through metabolic, immunological, and inflammatory pathways. Dysbiosis, characterized by altered microbial composition, contributes significantly to the development of hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis via mechanisms such as gut barrier dysfunction, microbial metabolite production, and systemic inflammation. Dietary patterns, including the Mediterranean diet, are highlighted for their role in modulating the gut microbiota, improving gut-liver axis integrity, and attenuating liver injury. Additionally, emerging microbiota-based interventions, such as fecal microbiota transplantation and bacteriophage therapy, show promise as therapeutic strategies for steatotic liver disease. However, challenges such as population heterogeneity, methodological variability, and knowledge gaps hinder the translational application of current findings. Addressing these barriers through standardized approaches and integrative research will pave the way for microbiota-targeted therapies to mitigate the global burden of steatotic liver disease.
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series Microorganisms
spelling doaj-art-0beb489212474fdd80ca07d73d214f732025-08-20T02:44:32ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-01-0113224110.3390/microorganisms13020241From Dysbiosis to Hepatic Inflammation: A Narrative Review on the Diet-Microbiota-Liver Axis in Steatotic Liver DiseaseAndrea Pasta0Elena Formisano1Francesco Calabrese2Elisa Marabotto3Manuele Furnari4Giorgia Bodini5Maria Corina Plaz Torres6Livia Pisciotta7Edoardo Giovanni Giannini8Patrizia Zentilin9Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, ItalyDietetics and Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, ItalyGastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, ItalyGastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, ItalyGastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, ItalyGastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, ItalyGastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, ItalyDietetics and Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, ItalyGastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, ItalyGastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, ItalyThe gut microbiota has emerged as a critical player in metabolic and liver health, with its influence extending to the pathogenesis and progression of steatotic liver diseases. This review delves into the gut-liver axis, a dynamic communication network linking the gut microbiome and liver through metabolic, immunological, and inflammatory pathways. Dysbiosis, characterized by altered microbial composition, contributes significantly to the development of hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis via mechanisms such as gut barrier dysfunction, microbial metabolite production, and systemic inflammation. Dietary patterns, including the Mediterranean diet, are highlighted for their role in modulating the gut microbiota, improving gut-liver axis integrity, and attenuating liver injury. Additionally, emerging microbiota-based interventions, such as fecal microbiota transplantation and bacteriophage therapy, show promise as therapeutic strategies for steatotic liver disease. However, challenges such as population heterogeneity, methodological variability, and knowledge gaps hinder the translational application of current findings. Addressing these barriers through standardized approaches and integrative research will pave the way for microbiota-targeted therapies to mitigate the global burden of steatotic liver disease.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/2/241gut microbiotagut-liver axisdysbiosissteatotic liver disease
spellingShingle Andrea Pasta
Elena Formisano
Francesco Calabrese
Elisa Marabotto
Manuele Furnari
Giorgia Bodini
Maria Corina Plaz Torres
Livia Pisciotta
Edoardo Giovanni Giannini
Patrizia Zentilin
From Dysbiosis to Hepatic Inflammation: A Narrative Review on the Diet-Microbiota-Liver Axis in Steatotic Liver Disease
Microorganisms
gut microbiota
gut-liver axis
dysbiosis
steatotic liver disease
title From Dysbiosis to Hepatic Inflammation: A Narrative Review on the Diet-Microbiota-Liver Axis in Steatotic Liver Disease
title_full From Dysbiosis to Hepatic Inflammation: A Narrative Review on the Diet-Microbiota-Liver Axis in Steatotic Liver Disease
title_fullStr From Dysbiosis to Hepatic Inflammation: A Narrative Review on the Diet-Microbiota-Liver Axis in Steatotic Liver Disease
title_full_unstemmed From Dysbiosis to Hepatic Inflammation: A Narrative Review on the Diet-Microbiota-Liver Axis in Steatotic Liver Disease
title_short From Dysbiosis to Hepatic Inflammation: A Narrative Review on the Diet-Microbiota-Liver Axis in Steatotic Liver Disease
title_sort from dysbiosis to hepatic inflammation a narrative review on the diet microbiota liver axis in steatotic liver disease
topic gut microbiota
gut-liver axis
dysbiosis
steatotic liver disease
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/2/241
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