Mounting evidence demonstrates interactions of the gut microbiome with the host play a crucial role in health and disease. Microbial translocation releases bacterial products, which has an important function in advancement of chronic liver disease by increasing hepatic injury and inflammation. This interaction of gut microbiome and hepatic injury has been recognized from a longer time, however, the researchers have just initiated understanding the situations under which the gut becomes leaky and identifying bacterial metabolites that enhance liver disease. The present review summarizes recent findings from the last two years.

Chronic liver disease is related to an altered microbiome with both qualitative (dysbiosis) and quantitative (overgrowth) differences. This can be considered as a loss of the symbiotic relationship between the microflora and the host. An imbalanced intestinal homeostasis causes a breach of the gut barrier and succeeding microbial translocation. Nevertheless, the intestinal microflora has a wide spectrum role, more than simple microbial translocation as a pathogenic factor. Furthermore, bacterial metabolites caused from an imbalanced homeostasis and dysbiosis play a vital role in liver disease.

Thus, it can be summarized that a combination between a beginning liver injury and a disruption of the gut – host symbiosis synergize in advancement of liver disease.

Source: Schnabl B. Linking intestinal homeostasis and liver disease. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2013;29(3):264-270.