Review
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World J Gastroenterol. Nov 7, 2013; 19(41): 7024-7031
Published online Nov 7, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i41.7024
Potential role of Helicobacter pylori infection in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Meng Li, Zhe Shen, You-Ming Li
Meng Li, Zhe Shen, You-Ming Li, Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
Author contributions: Li M designed research, performed literature search and wrote the paper; Shen Z and Li YM analyzed data and critically revised the paper.
Supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81230012; Zhejiang Provincial Laboratory Animal Science Technology Program of China, No. 2011C37088; the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81300303
Correspondence to: You-Ming Li, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China. zliyouming@126.com
Telephone: +86-571-87236532 Fax: +86-571-87236532
Received: July 30, 2013
Revised: September 5, 2013
Accepted: September 15, 2013
Published online: November 7, 2013
Core Tip

Core tip: A growing body of evidence suggests that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is linked with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). There are some potential pathogenic mediators and mechanisms involved in this progress, including fetuin-A, tumor necrosis factor-α and adiponectin. Long-term H. pylori infection may cause insulin resistance and inflammation, contributing to NAFLD. H. pylori toxins in the portal circulation arising from the gastroduodenal area may be another intriguing point, which might be related to the increased intestinal permeability in patients with NAFLD. It is hoped that eradication of H. pylori will provide a new treatment strategy for NAFLD.