Circulating microbiome in patients with portal hypertension

Abstract

Portal hypertension (PH) in liver cirrhosis leads to increased gut permeability and the translocation of bacteria across the gut–liver axis. Microbial DNA has recently been detected in different blood compartments; however, this phenomenon has not been thoroughly analyzed in PH. This study aimed to explore circulating bacterial DNA signatures, inflammatory cytokines, and gut permeability markers in different blood compartments (peripheral and hepatic veins) of patients with cirrhosis and PH. The 16S rRNA blood microbiome profiles were determined in 58 patients with liver cirrhosis and 46 control patients. Taxonomic differences were analyzed in relation to PH, liver function, inflammatory cytokines, and gut permeability markers. Circulating plasma microbiome profiles in patients with cirrhosis were distinct from those of the controls and were characterized by enrichment of Comamonas, Cnuella, Dialister, Escherichia/Shigella , and Prevotella and the depletion of Bradyrhizobium, Curvibacter, Diaphorobacter, Pseudarcicella , and Pseudomonas . Comparison of peripheral and hepatic vein blood compartments of patients with cirrhosis did not reveal differentially abundant taxa. Enrichment of the genera Bacteroides, Escherichia/Shigella , and Prevotella was associated with severe PH (SPH) in both blood compartments; however, circulating microbiome profiles could not predict PH severity. Escherichia/Shigella and Prevotella abundance was correlated with IL-8 levels in the hepatic vein. In conclusion, we demonstrated a distinct circulating blood microbiome profile in patients with cirrhosis, showing that specific bacterial genera in blood are marginally associated with SPH, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, and inflammation biomarkers; however, circulating microbial composition failed to predict PH severity.

Overview of microbial profiles in human hepatocellular carcinoma and adjacent nontumor tissues

“…In addition, the increased abundance of certain tumour-promoting bacteria, such as Neisseria, and the low infiltration of antitumour bacteria, such as Pseudomonas , may further influence HCC progression [ 36 , 37 ]. The research conducted by Rolandas Gedgaudas et al proved that intestinal permeability in patients with portal hypertension was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group, which was accompanied by a high abundance of some bacteria in peripheral blood [ 38 ]. These bacteria mainly included Enterobacteriaceae, Shigella and many other kinds of bacteria, which is consistent with the high abundance of bacteria in HCC tissues observed in our study.…”

Analysis of the blood bacterial composition of patients with acute coronary syndrome and chronic coronary syndrome

“…The strongest relationships with IL-8 were found in Escherichia coli and Prevotella . This could be due to these bacteria’s propensity to produce LPS and cause inflammation via TLR or inflammasome cascades ( Gedgaudas et al., 2022 ). Proteobacteria also produce LPS which has a direct role in cardiovascular diseases, it may suggest that phylum Proteobacteria and genus Escherichia-Shigella might play a potential role in chronic coronary syndrome.…”

Bibliometric-analysis visualization and review of non-invasive methods for monitoring and managing the portal hypertension

“…The changes and shifts of intestinal flora caused by cirrhosis and portal hypertension had always been a research hotspot, but this phenomenon had not been thoroughly analyzed in PH. A recent study from 2022 ( 47 ) has shown that the circulating plasma microbiota profile of cirrhotic patients was significantly different from that of the control group, characterized by rich Comamonas , Cnuella, Dialister , Escherichia/Shigella , and Prevotella , but poor Bradyrhizobium , Curvibacter , Diaphorobacter , Pseudarcicella , and Pseudomonas . There was no significant difference in peripheral and hepatic venous blood in patients with cirrhosis.…”