CONTRIBUTION OF INTESTINAL MICROFLORA METABOLITES IN DIAGNOSIS OF NONALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now recognized as one of the main factors of complications of cardiovascular disease, and is the main component of the metabolic syndrome (MS). In the pathogenesis of NAFLD plays an important role violation of colon microflora, and as a result, elevate the levels of microorganisms metabolic products (endotoxin and nitrogen oxide), which are associated with processes of atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia and progression of NAFLD. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of nitric oxide and endotoxin in the formation of inflammation in patients with NAFLD. A total of 130 patients were diagnosed, including 50 patients with hepatic steatosis and 80 patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Significant increase of nitric oxide was obtained in patients with NAFLD at the stage of steatohepatitis in compare with control group, and in compare with hepatic steatosis. Activity of bacterial endotoxin was increased, which was accompanied by nitric oxide synthase induction. Nitric oxide and endotoxin are the markers of inflammation in liver on the early stages of transition from steatosis to steatohepatitis and increase of NO and endotoxin in blood serum preceded elevation of hepatic enzymes.