Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (24): 6328-6336.doi: 10.12307/2026.229

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Mechanisms by which exercise regulates gut microbiota in the prevention and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Wang Wei1, Chen Jun1, Jia Shaohui2, Xue Xinxuan3, Dong Kunwei1   

  1. 1School of Art, 2School of Sports Medicine, 3School of Sports Training, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, China 
  • Received:2025-06-17 Revised:2025-10-15 Online:2026-08-28 Published:2026-02-04
  • Contact: Dong Kunwei, Associate professor, Master’s supervisor, School of Art, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, China
  • About author:Wang Wei, MS, Lecturer, School of Art, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Youth Foundation for Scientific Research Project of Education Department of Hubei Province, No. B2019193 (to JSH)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is closely associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis. In recent years, accumulating evidence has indicated that exercise may exert beneficial effects on host metabolic homeostasis by modulating the composition and function of the gut microbiota, thereby playing a positive role in the prevention and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
OBJECTIVE: To systematically summarize current research progress on the interplay between gut microbiota and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, to further elucidate the regulatory effects of exercise on gut microbiota, and to explore in depth the potential mechanisms by which exercise intervention may prevent or ameliorate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease via the "gut–liver axis."
METHODS: Search terms included "non-alcoholic fatty liver disease," "gut microbiota," "exercise," "bile acid," "short-chain fatty acid," "lipopolysaccharide," “trimethylamine oxide,” and “indole” in Chinese and English, respectively. China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and WanFang Database were searched for relevant studies published up to March 2025. A total of 85 core studies were identified based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The composition of gut microbiota in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is significantly abnormal, with increased abundance of pro-inflammatory bacteria (such as Proteobacteria, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus) and pathogenic bacteria (such as Enterobacteriaceae), and decreased abundance of bacteria with anti-inflammatory and homeostatic regulatory functions (such as Ruminococcus and Faecalibacterium). This adverse change in microbiota composition may promote the pathological process of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by increasing intestinal permeability, promoting the entry of metabolites into the liver, activating inflammatory pathways, and increasing endogenous ethanol production. (2) Regulating gut microbiota by supplementation of probiotics or gut microbiota transplantation can effectively reduce the levels of different forms of transaminase and chronic inflammation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, suggesting that gut microbiota may be an important target for the prevention and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. (3) Exercise can regulate the composition of gut microbiota, increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria, reduce the abundance of pro-inflammatory bacteria, and promote the activation of key metabolic pathways, thereby improving the host metabolic health. However, at present, the research on the effects of exercise on intestinal flora in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is still relatively limited, especially the effects of different types, intensity and duration of exercise on intestinal flora and host metabolism and its mechanism are not clear. (4) Exercise may activate G protein-coupled receptor 41/43 and the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway by modulating the gut microbiota and enhancing short-chain fatty acid production. Additionally, it may inhibit histone acetylase activity, thereby reducing hepatic fat accumulation, liver inflammation, and insulin resistance. Exercise may prevent and treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by modulating the gut microbiota-bile acid axis and improving bile acid metabolism, thereby influencing the farnesoid X receptor and G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 5 signaling pathways. Exercise may prevent and treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by reshaping the gut microbiota, reducing the abundance of lipopolysaccharide-producing Gram-negative bacteria, and enhancing intestinal barrier function. Consequently, this process decreases lipopolysaccharide production and intestinal translocation. Exercise may contribute to the prevention and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by modulating the gut microbiota composition, promoting the synthesis of indoles and their derivatives, and inhibiting the production of ethanol and trimethylamine N-oxide. These effects collectively enhance hepatic metabolic capacity, strengthen intestinal barrier function, and alleviate liver inflammation.

Key words: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, gut microbiota, exercise, bile acids, short-chain fatty acids, lipopolysaccharide, trimethylamine oxide, indole, review

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