Gut Microbiota and Modulation of Liver Damage in NAFLD

Several experimental data suggest that gut-derived endotoxin and GM composition can act as a "second hit" or insult to convert hepatic SS to NASH and cause both local hepatic and systemic inflammation.This study's aim is to analyze microbiota diversity, providing information both on intestinal microbial composition and on the metabolic processes linked to them. In addition, we will correlate, for the first time, GM composition to hepatic and white adipose tissue gene expression patterns of interest and serum and fecal markers possibly related to impaired fat storage and inflammation. We aim to provide preliminary data to design future intervention studies with pre- or probiotics or bile acid derivatives to prevent/treat inflammation and fibrosis in NAFLD patients.