New Insight into Nutrition and Gut–Liver Axis

Dear Colleagues,

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the hepatic component of metabolic syndrome (MS), which is characterized by insulin resistance, obesity, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia and hypertension. The pathological progression of NAFLD is considered a “multiple hit theory” with a number of insults acting together to induce NAFLD progression. Such hits include nutritional factors, insulin resistance, hormones secreted from the adipose tissue, oxidative stress damage, epigenetic factors and endotoxins released by the gut microbiota. In the last few years, the gut–microbiome–liver axis has emerged as one of the most important factors involved in the progression from simple steatosis towards non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or a more pathological liver phenotype. A chronic overload of a high fat, high carbohydrate and low fiber diet can induce a dysbiosis challenge at the gut level, inducing intestinal permeability. In consequence, bacteria or microbial products can reach the liver, promoting liver inflammation and the progression of NAFLD. By contrary, bioactive compounds from foods such as polyphenols, n-3 fatty acids or plant-based dietary fibers, seem to prevent the hepatic damage. Thus, the role of nutrition in the gut–microbiome–liver axis is essential in the context of health and disease. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the complex interaction of foods in the progression of NAFLD are not yet completely understood. In particular, the impact of food components, such as bioactive compounds, in the gut microbiota and the subsequent crosstalk with the host gut and in the gut–liver axis connection deserve more studies. Likewise, the altered metabolic pathways by the food components involved in NAFLD progression or prevention are of great interest, respectively.  

In this Special Issue, we welcome the submission of original research, reviews, and mini-review articles on the following sub-topics:    

• New insights of molecular nutrition mechanisms exploring the gut–liver axis connections.
• The pathophysiological role of nutrition in NAFLD and in the gut–microbiome–liver axis context.
• The role of food bioactive compounds in the intestinal microbiota modulation and its relevance in NAFLD prevention.
• Chronic intestinal disorders, such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease, in NAFLD progression.

Dr. Ildefonso Rodríguez-Ramiro
Guest Editor

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• gut–liver axis
• intestinal microbiota
• NAFLD
• gut health
• bioactive compounds
• liver metabolism