Role of gut microbiota in liver diseases

Inflammatory and immune changes and treatment in patients with fatty liver disease

Fatty liver disease (FLD) is a common chronic inflammatory and immune disease. Current research suggests that it is associated with a variety of clinical metabolic diseases, however, its etiology is very complex, and its exact mechanism is not fully clear. Enormous studies have found that inflammation and immunity play roles in the pathogenesis of FLD, via mechanisms involving inflammatory mediators or inflammatory factors, neutrophil infiltration, inflammasomes, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), gut microbes-related inflammation, immune cells, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and its downstream signal transduction pathways, gut microbe-related immune response, immunocytes, oxidative stress, other new markers of immune response and so on. In order to provide a reliable basis for accurate diagnosis and treatment of FLD, studies on the prevention, early diagnosis and prospective intervention of FLD should be strengthened. In addition, according to different pathogenesis, corresponding measures should be taken to reduce the risk of FLD and its related diseases.

Promoting expression of transporters for treatment of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis disease

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) is a heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive genetic diseases with a major clinical manifestation of severe intrahepatic cholestasis and an incidence rate of 1/10000 to 1/5000. PFIC is usually first diagnosed in infancy or childhood and eventually develops into liver failure and death. Based on clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, and genetic defects in liver tissue, PFIC is roughly divided into three types: PFIC-1, PFIC-2 and PFIC-3. Studies have demonstrated that all three types of PFIC are associated with the mutations of bile transport system genes in the liver. Promoting transporter expression has important clinical significance for the treatment of PFIC. In this paper, we summarize the etiology and treatment status of PFIC and discuss the treatment of PFIC by promoting the expression of transporters.