Gut Microbiota in Liver Disease: What Do We Know and What Do We Not Know?

Physiology (Bethesda). 2020 Jul 1;35(4):261-274. doi: 10.1152/physiol.00005.2020.

Abstract

The gut and the liver have a bidirectional communication via the biliary system and the portal vein. The intestinal microbiota and microbial products play an important role for modulating liver diseases such as alcohol-associated liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis, and cholestatic liver diseases. Here, we review the role of the gut microbiota and its products for the pathogenesis and therapy of chronic liver diseases.

Keywords: alcoholic liver disease; bile acids; microbiome; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; short-chain fatty acids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Humans
  • Liver / microbiology*
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Liver Diseases / microbiology*
  • Liver Diseases / pathology*