REVIEW   

Minerva Gastroenterologica e Dietologica 2020 September;66(3):267-79

DOI: 10.23736/S1121-421X.20.02671-9

Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Helicobacter pylori and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

György M. BUZÁS ✉

Department of Gastroenterology, Ferencváros Health Center, Budapest, Hungary

Helicobacter pylori is the most prevalent infection worldwide, while non-alcoholic fatty liver disease emerged as the most frequent liver disease. The common occurrence can be either by chance or due to certain pathogenetic factors. Epidemiologic studies revealed that the risk of non-alcoholic liver disease is increased in patients infected with Helicobacter pylori. DNA fragments of Helicobacter pylori were rarely identified in human samples of liver carcinoma and fatty liver. Helicobacter pylori could influence the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver either by hormonal (ghrelin? gastrin? insulin?), or by effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1 and 8, tumor necrosis factor ɑ, interferon ɣ) and by changes of gut microbiome as well. Probiotic supplementation could improve some clinical parameters of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and eradication rates of Helicobacter pylori. Regimens used for eradication can be safely administered, although non-alcoholic fatty liver increases the risk of drug-induced liver damage. Controlled studies of the effect of eradication on the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver are warranted.

KEY WORDS: Cytokines; Chemical and drug induced liver injury; Helicobacter pylori; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Probiotics; Fatty liver