Chronic Liver Disease and Promising Therapeutic Strategy: A Concise Review

Abstract

Background: Chronic liver dysfunction (CLD) is a significant global health issue; alcohol use, obesity, drugs, and antibiotic and viral infections contribute to its development. However, changes in gut microbiota composition, primarily as people grow older, can also play a role in initiating and progressing liver dysfunction. Purpose: This review summarizes the altered gut microbiota–mediated chronic liver dysfunction and promising therapeutic strategies for NAFLD, ALD, NASH, and liver cirrhosis. Discussion on the chronic liver disease and its therapeutic aspects: The gut microbiota influences physiological processes, including immune system regulation, by promoting the production of pro-inflammatory markers and elevating the expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs) on hepatocytes, metabolisms of bile acids and choline, alteration in saturated aliphatic organic acid (SCFA) production, and food absorption. These alterations increase intestinal permeability, chronic inflammation, and liver dysfunction. Dysbiosis triggers inflammatory pathways, oxidative stress, and the production of toxic compounds that damage liver cells and promote chronic liver diseases such as alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and cirrhosis. Age-related changes in gut motility, secretory function, and immunological function can further decline beneficial bacterial diversity and abundance and shifts in pathogenic bacterial species’ relative abundance. Conclusion: Dysbiosis resulting from these age-related changes may contribute to the development of CLD. Numerous therapeutic approaches are available to restore the altered gut microbiota and reduce the risk of chronic liver dysfunction.