Role of the Intestinal Microbiome in Liver Fibrosis Development and New Treatment Strategies

Liver cirrhosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The most common chronic liver diseases in western countries are alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Although these diseases have different causes, liver fibrosis develops via shared mechanisms. The liver and intestinal microbiome are linked by the portal vein and have bi-directional interactions. Changes in the intestinal microbiota are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of liver diseases including ALD, NAFLD, viral hepatitis and cholestatic disorders, based on studies in patients and animal models.
Source: Translational Research - Category: Research Authors: Source Type: research