Abstract
Liver cirrhosis is one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases worldwide. In addition to viral hepatitis, diseases such as steatohepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, sclerosing cholangitis and Wilson’s disease can also lead to cirrhosis. Moreover, alcohol can cause cirrhosis on its own and exacerbate chronic liver disease of other causes. The treatment of cirrhosis can be divided into addressing the cause of cirrhosis and reversing liver fibrosis. To this date, there is still no clear consensus on the treatment of cirrhosis. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in potential treatments that modulate the gut microbiota and gut-liver axis for the treatment of cirrhosis. According to recent studies, modulation of the gut microbiome by probiotics ameliorates the progression of liver disease. The precise mechanism for relieving cirrhosis via gut microbial modulation has not been identified. This paper summarizes the role and effects of the gut microbiome in cirrhosis based on experimental and clinical studies on absorbable antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics. Moreover, it provides evidence of a relationship between the gut microbiome and liver fibrosis.
Highlights
↑ indicates an increase in condition, ↓ indicates a decrease in condition, ALD, alcoholic liver disease; ALF, alcoholic liver fibrosis; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; α-SMA, alpha-smooth muscle actin; Bax, Bcl-2-associated X protein; CCl4, carbon tetrachloride; GSH, glutathione; HE, hepatic encephalopathy; IL, interleukin; MDA, malondialdehyde; SOD, superoxide dismutase; TC, total cholesterol; TG, triglycerides; TGF, transforming growth factor; TBIL, total bilirubin; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-alpha
The gut-liver axis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver diseases, including liver fibrosis and cirrhosis
The fact that liver cirrhosis is related to the microbiome and the possibility that it can be treated by controlling the microbiome is expected to affect the development and health improvement in the medical field in the future
Summary
Many studies have been performed to slow the progression of liver disease due to the modulation of the gut microbiome in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [3,4]. These results showed that such changes in the gut microbial community can cause disorders in immune regulation which leads to disease. Previous studies have reported that Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae are associated with the development of cirrhosis [6,7] In addition to these changes, it is demonstrated that alteration in the function of bacteria which includes increased release of endotoxin and decreased conversion of primary bile acids to secondary bile acids may lead to cirrhosis [8]. Recent studies using antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics are being performed to suppress the progression of liver fibrosis by the modulation of the gut microbiome
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
