Unique microbial-derived volatile organic compounds in portal venous circulation in murine non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Illustration of the impact of microbial-derived VOCs on the development of NASH. During health, VOCs produced by gut microbiota enter the healthy liver and are metabolized. At the onset of obesity, the liver begins to accumulate lipid leading to compromised metabolic function, damaged mitochondria, and reduced insulin sensitivity. Changes in gut-derived VOCs during obesity further disrupt liver function and metabolism. Presence of VOCs in the liver in combination with steatosis creates a microenvironment primed for the initiation of inflammation by release of inflammatory mediators followed by the recruitment of proinflammatory cells into the liver. This combination of detrimental cellular processes ultimately leads to the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.211