Revealing the Therapeutic Potential of Butyrate for the Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A Systematic Review
Introduction:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now referred to as metabolically associated liver disease (MALD), has emerged as a prevalent chronic liver condition worldwide. Its complex pathogenesis involves diverse factors such as genetics, lifestyle and gut microbiota dysbiosis. The progression of NAFLD is characterised by insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress and alterations in the gut-liver axis.
The Study Approach:
This systematic review examines the therapeutic role of butyrate, a metabolite produced by the gut microbiota, in the management of NASH. It examines the existing evidence to elucidate how butyrate affects risk factors associated with NASH.
Key Findings:
- Multifaceted Effects: Butyrate exerts pleiotropic effects within the gut-liver axis, influencing diverse biological processes.
- Beneficial Properties: Butyrate demonstrates hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, metabolism-regulating and antioxidant effects, contributing to intestinal homeostasis and liver health.
- Mechanistic Perspectives: Butyrate’s actions involve modulation of gene expression as an epigenetic regulator and triggering of cellular responses as a signalling molecule.
- Animal studies vs. human trials: While animal studies show promising results, human trials are lacking, raising concerns about its clinical applicability.
Implications and Conclusion:
Sodium butyrate supplementation shows promise in the management of NASH by improving gut health, reducing hepatic fat deposition, regulating metabolism, and exerting anti-inflammatory effects. However, more research, especially human trials, is required to validate these findings and determine the therapeutic efficacy of butyrate in clinical settings.
Conclusion:
In summary, this systematic review highlights the potential of butyrate as a therapeutic agent for the management of NASH, offering insights into its multifaceted effects and underlying mechanisms. While the preliminary evidence is encouraging, more extensive research is essential to realise the full therapeutic potential of butyrate in the fight against NASH and associated metabolic disorders.
