The role of gut-liver axis in the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension

• Published in: Clinical and molecular hepatology Vol. 18; no. 4; pp. 337 - 346
• Main Authors: Seo, Yeon Seok, Shah, Vijay H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Association for the Study of the Liver 01.12.2012; The Korean Association for the Study of the Liver
• Subjects: Alcohol; Antibiotics; Bacteria; Bacterial infections; Bacterial Translocation; Chemokines; Cytokines; Defense mechanisms; Gastrointestinal Tract - microbiology; Homeostasis; Humans; Hypertension; Hypertension, Portal - metabolism; Hypertension, Portal - pathology; Immune system; Kupffer cell; Leaky gut; Lipopolysaccharide; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors - metabolism; Liver - metabolism; Liver - microbiology; Liver cirrhosis; Liver Cirrhosis - metabolism; Liver Cirrhosis - pathology; Liver diseases; Lymphocytes; Microbiota; Motility; Pathogenesis; Permeability; Probiotics; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear - metabolism; Review; Toll-like receptor; Toll-Like Receptors - metabolism; Lipopolysaccharide; Kupffer cell; Bacterial translocation; Toll-like receptor; Leaky gut
• ISSN: 2287-2728; 2287-285X; 2287-285X
• DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2012.18.4.337

Because of the anatomical position and its unique vascular system, the liver is susceptible to the exposure to the microbial products from the gut. Although large amount of microbes colonize in the gut, translocation of the microbes or microbial products into the liver and systemic circulation is prevented by gut epithelial barrier function and cleansing and detoxifying functions of the liver in healthy subjects. However, when the intestinal barrier function is disrupted, large amount of bacterial products can enter into the liver and systemic circulation and induce inflammation through their receptors. Nowadays, there have been various reports suggesting the role of gut flora and bacterial translocation in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease and portal hypertension. This review summarizes the current knowledge about bacterial translocation and its contribution to the pathogenesis of chronic liver diseases and portal hypertension.