Abstract

The gut–liver axis plays a key role in the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Due to the complexity and incomplete understanding of the cross-talk between the gut and liver, effective therapeutic targets are largely unknown. Free fatty acid receptors (FFARs) may bridge the cross-talk between the gut and liver. FFAR4 has received considerable attention due to its important role in lipid metabolism. However, the role of FFAR4 in this cross talk in NAFLD remains unclear. In this study, mice with high endogenousn-3 PUFAs but FFAR4 deficiency were generated by crossbreeding Fat-1 and FFAR4 knockout mice. FFAR4 deficiency blocked the protective effects of high endogenousn-3 PUFAs on intestinal barrier dysfunction and hepatic steatosis. In addition, FFAR4 deficiency decreased gut microbiota diversity and enrichedRikenella,Anaerotruncus, andEnterococcus, and reducedDubosiella,Ruminococcaceae UCG-010,Ruminococcaceae UCG-014,Coriobacteriaceae UCG-002,Faecalibaculum,Ruminococcaceae UCG-009, andAkkermansia. Notably, FFAR4 deficiency co-regulated pantothenic acid and CoA biosynthesis, β-alanine metabolism, and sphingolipid metabolism pathways in the gut and liver, potentially associated with the aggravation of NAFLD. Together, the beneficial effects ofn-3 PUFAs on the gut and liver were mediated by FFAR4, providing insights on the role of FFAR4 in the treatment of NAFLD through the gut–liver axis.Keywords:free fatty acid receptor 4;non-alcoholic fatty liver disease;gut–liver axis;n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids