Role of the intestinal microbiome in liver fibrosis development and new treatment strategies.

Role of the intestinal microbiome in liver fibrosis development and new treatment strategies. Transl Res. 2019 Feb 16;: Authors: Zhou R, Fan X, Schnabl B Abstract 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 bidirectional 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. Intestinal microbial dysbiosis has been associated with liver cirrhosis and its complications. We review the mechanisms by which alterations in the microbiota contribute to liver fibrosis and discuss microbiome-based treatment approaches. PMID: 30853445 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Translational Research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine - Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Transl Res Source Type: research