Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is by now the most common liver disease worldwide. A genetic predisposition and general overnutrition, alterations of intestinal microbiota composition and associated impairments of intestinal barrier function are thought to be critical in the onset and progression of NAFLD. Recent data further suggest a pivotal role of bile acids and microbial bile acid metabolism as mediators of gut-liver-crosstalk subsequently affecting NAFLD initiation and progression. Soluble fibers like oat β-glucans have been shown to bind bile acids and modulate intestinal microbiota composition thereby affecting metabolic parameters and liver health. Furthermore, results of human intervention trials suggest that manipulating intestinal microbiota composition through prebiotics may improve disease progression of NAFLD. However, the molecular mechanisms involved remain incompletely understood and established therapeutic strategies are still missing. Based upon this background the main aim of the translational project is to study the causal relationship between specific diet-responsive microbial taxa and alterations of the bile acid pool as risk factor for initiation and progression of metabolic liver diseases.

Not applicable so far, as work is still in progress.