Probiotics and their role in fatty liver disease, liver inflammation, and scarring

Probiotics may improve clinical markers in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

• The incidence of NAFL and NASH is rising alongside the obesity epidemic.
• Individuals with obesity show differences in intestinal microbiota compared to those with normal body mass indices.
• Increased intestinal permeability is observed in NAFL, NASH, and cirrhosis, potentially heightening liver injury risks.
• Bacterial translocation could lead to complications such as increased portal hypertension and hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis.
• Multiple small studies indicate that probiotics may positively affect clinical markers in NAFL and NASH patients.
• Controlled studies suggest improved outcomes in cirrhosis patients treated with probiotics.

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