Liver Diseases: The Role of Gut Microbiota and Probiotics

Abstract

There is unique co-ordination between gut and liver; portal venous blood derived from the mesenteric venous circulation constitutes approximately 75% of total hepatic blood flow and its content activates multiple liver functions. Intestinal microbiota plays an important role in health and disease. The gut-liver axis provides interaction between microbial components and liver causing liver damage. Bacterial overgrowth, dysfunctional immunity, altered intestinal permeability are implicated in pathogenesis of infections, hepatic encephalopathy, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and hepatorenal syndrome etc. Probiotics may prevent these abnormal interactions between gut and liver by improving intestinal barrier function and prevention of bacterial translocation. This review addresses gut-liver axis, gut microbiota in liver disease and probiotics in management of liver diseases.