Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid Improves Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Regulating Gut Microbiota and Bile Acid Metabolism

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is a synthetic bile salt that has demonstrated efficacy in the management of hepatobiliary disorders. However, its specific mechanism of action in preventing and treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains incompletely understood. This research revealed that TUDCA treatment can reduce obesity and hepatic lipid buildup, enhance intestinal barrier function and microbial balance, and increase the presence of Allobaculum and Bifidobacterium in NAFLD mouse models. TUDCA can influence the activity of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), resulting in higher hepatic bile acid levels and increased expression of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), leading to elevated concentrations of liver-bound bile acids in mice. Furthermore, TUDCA can inhibit the expression of FXR and fatty acid transport protein 5 (FATP5), thereby reducing fatty acid absorption and hepatic lipid accumulation. This investigation provides new insights into the potential of TUDCA for preventing and treating NAFLD.