Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Bradley Fairfield, Bernd Schnabl
Summary: Alcohol-related liver disease encompasses a spectrum of conditions, not all heavy drinkers develop severe forms, and the intestinal microbiome may play a role. This review explores the microbiome's role in different stages of alcohol-related liver disease, discussing its effects on disease pathogenesis.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Silvia Ferri, Bernardo Stefanini, Lorenzo Mulazzani, Margherita Alvisi, Francesco Tovoli, Simona Leoni, Luca Muratori, Tommaso Lotti, Alessandro Granito, Luigi Bolondi, Fabio Piscaglia
Summary: The role of moderate alcohol consumption in the evolution of NAFLD is still debated. This study evaluated the impact of current and lifelong alcohol consumption in NAFLD patients using a new estimation tool called LACU. The results showed that very low alcohol consumption was associated with lower rates of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma compared to abstainers and moderate consumers.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lin Zhu, Yixuan Wang, Calvin Q. Q. Pan, Huichun Xing
Summary: Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) patients have a distinct gut microbiota profile, and the degree of gut dysbiosis is associated with disease progression and survival. The vicious cycles between gut dysbiosis and disease progression in ALD include increased acetaldehyde production and bile acid secretion, impaired gut barrier, enrichment of circulating microbiota, toxicities of microbiota metabolites, pro-inflammatory chemokines or cytokines cascade, and increased generation of reactive oxygen species. These pathophysiological processes play a crucial role in various disease stages of ALD, including alcohol hepatitis, ALD cirrhosis, neurological dysfunction, and hepatocellular carcinoma. This review aims to explain the pathophysiology of gut microbiota and the gut-brain crosstalk in ALD, providing potential targets for future therapeutic interventions in ALD.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sally Temraz, Farah Nassar, Firas Kreidieh, Deborah Mukherji, Ali Shamseddine, Rihab Nasr
Summary: Disruptions in the human gut microbiome may be associated with a cycle of hepatocyte injury and regeneration characteristic of chronic liver disease, and can promote the development of hepatocellular carcinoma by inducing genetic and epigenetic changes. The gut microbiome affects host metabolism and immune response, potentially influencing the efficacy of immunotherapy and chemotherapy for liver cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ranxi Li, Xinzhu Yi, Junhao Yang, Zhou Zhu, Yifei Wang, Xiaomin Liu, Xili Huang, Yu Wan, Xihua Fu, Wensheng Shu, Wenjie Zhang, Zhang Wang
Summary: The gut microbiome is associated with HBV-induced liver disease, with specific microbial signatures identified at each disease stage. These microbial taxonomy may serve as non-invasive biomarkers for monitoring disease progression and potential microbiome-based therapies.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Daniel Q. Huang, Darren J. H. Tan, Cheng Han Ng, Maral Amangurbanova, Nancy Sutter, Phoebe Wen Lin Tay, Wen Hui Lim, Jie Ning Yong, Ansel Tang, Nicholas Syn, Mark D. Muthiah, Eunice X. X. Tan, Shravan Dave, Benjamin Tay, Abdul M. Majzoub, Danielle Gerberi, Beom Kyung Kim, Rohit Loomba
Summary: A pooled analysis of time-to-event data revealed that the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in alcohol-associated cirrhosis is significant, with cumulative risks of 3% and 9% at 5 and 10 years, respectively.
CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Natalia Szostak, Marek Figlerowicz, Anna Philips
Summary: In recent years, the role of gut microbiota in human health and disease has gained increasing attention. However, most studies on the gut microbiome primarily focus on bacteria and neglect the fungi that exist in the human intestines. This review highlights the importance of the gut mycobiome in liver homeostasis and its perturbations, emphasizing the compositional changes of fungi in liver diseases and providing new insights for liver research and potential therapeutic targets.
Article
Microbiology
Qing-Ao Xiao, Yun-Fei Yang, Lin Chen, Ying-Chun Xie, Hai-Tao Li, Zhi-Gang Fu, Qiang Han, Jia Qin, Jie Tian, Wen-Jiang Zhao, Fei Cai, Yin-Tao Hu, Lin-Feng Ai, Chao Li, Xu-Ying Chen, Decheng Wang, Yu-Yan Tan, Xuan Xia, Xiao-Lin Zhang
Summary: This study revealed a potential causal relationship between gut microbiota and liver cirrhosis through bi-directional Mendelian randomization analysis. The findings provide new insights into the role of gut microbiota in the development of liver cirrhosis and identified specific gut microbiota associated with cirrhosis.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Reina Sasaki-Tanaka, Ranjit Ray, Mitsuhiko Moriyama, Ratna B. Ray, Tatsuo Kanda
Summary: Alcohol is a major cause of liver diseases, such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This is due to the conversion of alcohol to acetaldehyde in hepatocytes, leading to various liver damage, as well as the production of toxins from intestinal bacteria aggravating inflammation. Genetic factors also play a role in this process.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Na Young Lee, Ki Tae Suk
Summary: Liver cirrhosis is a common chronic liver disease worldwide with various causes, and there is still no clear consensus on its treatment. Recent studies have shown that modulating the gut microbiome with probiotics can ameliorate the progression of liver disease, indicating a potential new treatment approach for cirrhosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Benard Aliwa, Angela Horvath, Julia Traub, Nicole Feldbacher, Hansjoerg Habisch, Guenter Fauler, Tobias Madl, Vanessa Stadlbauer
Summary: Our study suggests a potential functional gut microbiome-host interaction linking sarcopenia with the altered gut microbiomes, BA profiles and amino acids pointing towards a potential mechanistic interplay in understanding sarcopenia pathogenesis.
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Rui Wang, Ruqi Tang, Bo Li, Xiong Ma, Bernd Schnabl, Herbert Tilg
Summary: The delicate interaction between the gut microbiota and liver is crucial in preventing accidental immune activation against harmless antigens, also aiding in understanding and treating various liver diseases.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ji Ye Hyun, Seul Ki Kim, Sang Jun Yoon, Su Been Lee, Jin-Ju Jeong, Haripriya Gupta, Satya Priya Sharma, Ki Kwong Oh, Sung-Min Won, Goo Hyun Kwon, Min Gi Cha, Dong Joon Kim, Raja Ganesan, Ki Tae Suk
Summary: Alcohol consumption leads to various liver diseases, and gut microbiome plays a significant role in the development of these diseases. It causes intestinal permeability, metabolic disorder, oxidative stress, liver inflammation, and hepatocellular injury. Future research can focus on genetic, microbial, and metabolic regulation in alcoholic liver diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
J. Behary, A. E. Raposo, N. M. L. Amorim, H. Zheng, L. Gong, E. McGovern, J. Chen, K. Liu, J. Beretov, C. Theocharous, M. T. Jackson, J. Seet-Lee, G. W. McCaughan, E. M. El-Omar, A. Zekry
Summary: The study found that dysbiosis preceded HCC development in Mdr2 -/- mice, leading to dysfunction of the gut barrier, increased LPS synthesis, and a shift in energy source utilization. Alongside support for HCC development, there were corresponding changes in systemic and intrahepatic inflammatory responses.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roman Maslennikov, Elena Poluektova, Oxana Zolnikova, Alla Sedova, Anastasia Kurbatova, Yulia Shulpekova, Natyia Dzhakhaya, Svetlana Kardasheva, Maria Nadinskaia, Elena Bueverova, Vladimir Nechaev, Anna Karchevskaya, Vladimir Ivashkin
Summary: Cirrhosis is the final outcome of liver fibrosis in chronic liver diseases. Gut dysbiosis leads to bacterial translocation, activating Kupffer cells to produce fibrogenic cytokines and stimulating hepatic stellate cells to transform into myofibroblasts. Blocking bacterial translocation with antibiotics, probiotics, and other methods may slow down the progression of liver fibrosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Vinay K. Balachandrakumar, Paul Brennan, Charlotte Cook, Tim Hardy, Rebecca Harris, Janardhan Navaratnam, Emma Saunsbury, Oliver D. Tavabie, Jane Abbott, Kushala W. M. Abeysekera, Kris Bennett, Ryan Buchanan, Amritpal Dhaliwal, Vasileios Galanakis, Victoria T. Kronsten, Jess Leighton, Wenhao Li, James Liu Yin, Thomas Marjot, James B. Maurice, Hannah McDowell, Keith Pohl, Jeremy S. Nayagam, Jennifer Scott, Abhishek Sheth, Ricky Sinharay, Gio Sheiybani, Mohsan Subhani, Lucy Turner, Helen White, Nekisa Zakeri
FRONTLINE GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Richard Parker, Joaquin Cabezas, Jose Altamirano, Juan Pablo Arab, Meritxell Ventura-Cots, Ashish Sinha, Ashwin Dhanda, Marco Arrese, C. Anne McCune, Ian A. Rowe, Bernd Schnabl, Phillipe Mathurin, Debbie Shawcross, Juan G. Abraldes, Michael R. Lucey, Guadalupe Garcia-Tsao, Elizabeth Verna, Robert S. Brown, Francisco Bosques-Padilla, Victor Vargas, Alexandre Louvet, Andrew P. Holt, Ramon Bataller
Summary: By analyzing the trajectory of serum bilirubin concentration over the course of hospital admissions, we can predict spontaneous survival and the need for treatment in patients with alcoholic hepatitis.
CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Surgery
Andrei Tanase, Ashwin Dhanda, Matthew Cramp, Adam Streeter, Somaiah Aroori
Summary: This survey assessed the variability and challenges in the diagnosis and management of common bile duct stones in the UK. The results revealed significant differences in practice, with the majority of surgeons favoring a two-stage approach. The availability of good ERCP service, lack of equipment, and formal training were identified as barriers to implementing a single-stage approach.
SURGICAL ENDOSCOPY AND OTHER INTERVENTIONAL TECHNIQUES
(2022)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Keith Pohl, Prebashan Moodley, Ashwin Dhanda
Summary: Supplementation of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) has shown potential as a therapy for liver disease by improving gut barrier function. Studies have demonstrated that SCFA supplementation can reduce liver injury and intestinal permeability, leading to improved liver disease models. However, the outcome measures used in the existing research may not be practical for human studies.
JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Substance Abuse
Jane Horrell, Lynne Callaghan, Ashwin Dhanda
Summary: Ongoing alcohol use among patients with alcohol-related liver disease (ArLD) is influenced by various factors, including mental health diagnoses associated with alcohol dependence severity and social and environmental determinants. Poor communication, lack of symptom recognition, and perceived loss of control over their condition are common barriers to treatment for ArLD patients. Further studies are needed to assess psychosocial factors, explore patient journeys, and identify factors associated with relapse in order to improve engagement with treatment and long-term outcomes.
ALCOHOL-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Aamir Saifuddin, Alexandra J. Kent, Shameer J. Mehta, Lucy C. Hicks, Haidee A. Gonzalez, Jonathan P. Segal, Matthew J. Brookes, Sreedhar Subramanian, Neeraj Bhala, Thomas E. Conley, Kamal Patel, Christopher A. Lamb, Gareth J. Walker, Nicholas A. Kennedy, Shaji Sebastian
Summary: This study compared prescribing behavior and outcomes for IBD patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and before. The study found a decrease in systemic corticosteroid prescription and an increase in poorly bioavailable oral corticosteroids during the pandemic. Treatment with ustekinumab and vedolizumab also significantly increased. Despite treatment adaptations, steroid-free outcomes were comparable to pre-pandemic levels.
ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ashwin Dhanda, Keith Bodger, Steve Hood, Clive Henn, Michael Allison, Chioma Amasiatu, Robyn Burton, Matthew Cramp, Ewan Forrest, Meetal Khetani, Alastair MacGilchrist, Steven Masson, Richard Parker, Nick Sheron, Ken Simpson, Nikhil Vergis, Martin White
Summary: The Liverpool ArLD Algorithm (LAA) can be successfully applied to both national and local datasets, providing a more accurate identification of alcohol-related liver disease admissions. The algorithm has revealed the true extent of ArLD admissions and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the long-term increase in ArLD admissions and mortality.
ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Keith Bodger, Ashwin Dhanda
ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Michael E. D. Allison, Julia Verne, William Bernal, Michelle Clayton, Sam Cox, Ashwin Dhanda, John F. Dillon, James Ferguson, Graham Foster, Ian Gilmore, Vanessa Hebditch, Rebecca Jones, Steven Masson, Beverley Oates, Paul Richardson, Julia Sinclair, Julia Wendon, David Wood
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Paula Boeira, Huey Tan, Euan Yates, Ashwin Dhanda
Summary: This study tested the QuantiFERON Monitor (QFM) as a measure of immune function in predicting clinical outcomes in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. The findings showed that interferon (IFN)-gamma release measured by standard QFM accurately predicted early mortality at 28 and 90 days in these patients. The measurement of IFN-gamma, IL-10, and IL-23 release also showed potential as a biomarker for subsequent infection.
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
LANCET GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Keith Pohl, Ashwin Dhanda
FRONTLINE GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ashwin D. Dhanda, Hannah Allende, Victoria Allgar, Jackie Andrade, Matthew Peter Bailey, Lynne Callaghan, Laura Cocking, Elizabeth Goodwin, Annie Hawton, Christopher Hayward, Ben Hudson, Alison Jeffery, Angela King, Victoria Lavers, Joe Lomax, C. Anne McCune, Richard Parker, Christopher Rollinson, Jonny Wilks, E. Siobhan Creanor
Summary: This article presents a pilot trial conducted in the UK on a psychological therapy (FIT) for patients with alcohol-related liver disease (ArLD). The trial aims to test the feasibility of training alcohol liaison nurses to deliver FIT therapy and to conduct a randomized trial of FIT and treatment as usual (TAU) versus TAU alone in ArLD patients. The results of the trial will help finalize the design of a definitive randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of FIT.
