Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
This research article suggests a link between small bowel bacterial overgrowth and liver disease. The results do suggest an increase in bacteria present in small bowel, but it is not via a change in permeability and subsequent increase in toxins from the bacteria making it into the bloodstream. The small bowel overgrowth may be incidental, or it may be shown in the next few years that there is a less direct route by which the bacteria alters liver function.
Gut — Abstracts: Wigg et al. 48 (2): 206