Table 1 Studies suggesting a causal relationship between the gut microbiota and NAFLD.
Ref | Study model | Treatment | Diet | Main results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
8-week-old male germ-free (GF) C57BL/6 J mice | Received the microbiota from obese human donor before or after a dietary weight loss program | Normal chow diet for 4 weeks | Development of liver steatosis in mice received from donor before dietary weight loss program. High hepatic TGs and total cholesterol in mice received the microbiota from donor before weight loss program. | |
8-week-old male GF C57BL/6 J mice | Received the microbiota from mice developed hyperglycemia or normoglycemia after 16 weeks of high fat diet (HFD) | 60% kcal HFD for 16 weeks after colonization. | High hepatic DNL and steatosis, abundant Barnesiella and Roseburia genera in mice colonized from hyperglycemia mice. No differences in SCFAs, but increased levels of branched-chain fatty acids. | |
8-week-old GF C57BL/6 J mice | Conventionalization with normal mice | Normal chow diet for 4 weeks | High induction of hepatic lipogenesis in conventionalization compared with GF. | |
6 to 8-week-old GF C57BL/6 J mice |  | 39% and 32.8% (wt) high-fat, high-sucrose diet or normal chow diet with 30% fructose water for 8 weeks | Elevated hepatic TG in high fat, sucrose fed group and high fructose-fed group compared with GF. | |
GF C57BL/6 N mice | Antibiotics | Normal chow diet | Desaturated and elongated hepatic long-chain fatty acids in antibiotics treated mice. | |
6-week-old C57BL/6 J mice | Antibiotics | 30% fructose water for 8 weeks | Reduced hepatic lipid accumulation in fructose-fed mice treated with antibiotics. | |
8 to 12-week-old male C57BL/6 J mice | Oral gavage of cecum content obtained from chow- or HFD-fed mice with bile duct ligation | 60% kcal HFD or normal chow diet for 4 weeks | Reduced ratio between Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes in mice received from HFD. Enhanced liver damage in mice received from HFD. | |
4-week-old male GF C57BL/6 J mice | Inoculation of Bacteroidetes or Firmicutes | 60% kcal HFD for 16 weeks | High hepatic lipid, levels of hepatic FAS, SCD1, and DGAT2 in firmicutes-treated mice. | |
4-week-old male C57BL/6 J mice |  | 40% (wt) fructose diet for 7 weeks | Induction of fatty livers. Increased proteobacteria and colonic actinobacteria. Increased blood propionate and butyrate. | |
5-week-old male 129S6 mice | Â | 40% kcal HFD for 15 weeks | NAFLD caused by conversion of choline into methylamines by the microbiota. Lower plasma phosphatidylcholine and higher urinary excretion of methylamines. | |
8-week-old male C57BL/6 J mice |  | Methionine choline-deficient diet for 4 weeks | Increased NASH with liver fibrosis. Decreased Bifidobacterium and increased Bacteroides. Increased cholic acid, cholesterol, arachidic acid, and stearic acid in feces during NASH development. |
