Abstract
Chronic liver diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recently, gut dysbiosis was identified as an important factor in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. The relationship between gut microbiota and the liver is still not well understood; however, dysfunction of the gut mucosal barrier (“leaky gut”) and increased bacterial translocation into the liver via the gut–liver axis probably play crucial roles in liver disease development and progression. The liver is an important immunological organ, and, after exposure to gut-derived bacteria via portal circulation, it responds with activation of the innate and adaptive immune system, leading to hepatic injury. A better understanding of the pathophysiological links among gut dysbiosis, the integrity of the gut barrier, and the hepatic immune response to gut-derived factors is essential for the development of new therapies to treat chronic liver diseases.
Highlights
The gut microbiota forms a complex microbial community that has a major impact on human health [1]
There is accumulating evidence that dysfunctional gut microbiota might be implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, primary billiary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
PBC microbial dysbiosis was characterized by altered abundances of 12 genera, and the dysbiosis was partially reversed during ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment [42]
Summary
The gut microbiota forms a complex microbial community that has a major impact on human health [1]. There is strong evidence that gut microorganisms have an important impact on the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract itself and may affect the function of extra-intestinal organs including the liver, kidney, or brain, the cardiovascular system, and/or the bone system. A well-balanced diet rich in fibers and unsaturated fats, like a “Mediterranean diet”, leads to an increase in anti-inflammatory bacterial taxa such as Bifidobacteria or Akkermansia These bacteria provide important beneficial signals for the host immune system, and may be responsible for the development of immune tolerance to food. The “western diet” contains food rich in saturated fats and carbohydrates leading to a significant increase in pro-inflammatory taxa such as Bacteroides This switch in the gut microbiota composition may have detrimental effects on the gut barrier resulting in low-grade inflammation of the intestinal mucosa [9]
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