Role of the Gut Microbiome in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Gastroenterology
• Microbiome Research

Background:

• Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, shows rising global prevalence.
• Current therapeutic options for MASLD are limited, necessitating novel treatment strategies.
• The gut microbiome is increasingly recognized for its significant role in MASLD pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the intricate relationship between gut microbiome structure/function and MASLD development.
• To evaluate the diagnostic potential of gut microbiome signatures for noninvasive MASLD severity assessment.
• To examine existing and novel therapies targeting the gut microbiome-liver axis for MASLD.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of studies investigating the gut microbiome in MASLD.
• Analysis of research on microbiome-based biomarkers for MASLD diagnosis and staging.
• Synthesis of data on therapeutic interventions modulating the gut microbiome for liver health.

Main Results:

• The gut microbiome's composition and metabolic activities are significantly altered in MASLD patients.
• Microbiome-based signatures show potential as noninvasive tools for identifying MASLD and its severity.
• Targeting the gut microbiome-liver axis presents promising therapeutic avenues for MASLD.

Conclusions:

• The gut microbiome plays a critical role in the development and progression of MASLD.
• Gut microbiome analysis offers a promising noninvasive approach for MASLD diagnosis and severity assessment.
• Therapeutic strategies focused on the gut microbiome-liver axis hold significant potential for MASLD management.