Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (
NAFLD) is currently the most common
liver disease worldwide, both in adults and in children.
NAFLD is characterized by aberrant
lipid storage in hepatocytes (hepatic steatosis) and inflammatory progression to
nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Evidences so far suggest that intrahepatic
lipid accumulation does not always derive from
obesity. Gut microbiota has been considered as a regulator of energy homeostasis and ectopic fat deposition, suggesting its implications in
metabolic diseases. Probiotics are live microbial that alter the enteric microflora and have beneficial effects on human health. Although the molecular mechanisms of probiotics have not been completely elucidated yet, many of their effects have proved to be beneficial in
NAFLD, including the modulation of the intestinal microbiota, an antibacterial substance production, an improved epithelial barrier function and a reduced intestinal
inflammation. Given the close anatomical and functional correlation between the bowel and the liver, and the immunoregulatory effects elicited by probiotics, the aim of this review is to summarize today's knowledge about probiotics in
NAFLD, focusing in particular on their molecular and biochemical mechanisms, as well as highlighting their efficacy as an emerging therapeutic strategy to treat this condition.