The role of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, intestinal permeability, endotoxaemia, and tumour necrosis factor α in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Abstract

Patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis have a higher prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, as assessed by the (14)C-D-xylose-lactulose breath test, and higher TNF-alpha levels in comparison with control subjects. This is not accompanied by increased intestinal permeability or elevated endotoxin levels.