Research Progress of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Liver Diseases

Abstract

A growing body of evidence suggested that gut microbiota is associated with liver diseases through the gut–liver axis. The imbalance of gut microbiota could be correlated with the occurrence, development, and prognosis of a series of liver diseases, including alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) seems to be a method to normalize the patient’s gut microbiota. This method has been traced back to the 4th century. In recent decade, FMT has been highly regarded in several clinical trials. As a novel approach to reconstruct the intestinal microecological balance, FMT has been used to treat the chronic liver diseases. Therefore, in this review, the role of FMT in the treatment of liver diseases was summarized. In addition, the relationship between gut and liver was explored through the gut–liver axis, and the definition, objectives, advantages, and procedures of FMT were described. Finally, the clinical value of FMT therapy in liver transplant (LT) recipients was briefly discussed.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

“…On the same topic, the study realized by Konturek et al outlined a significant CRP reduction after FMT therapy in all treated patients. FMT proved its benefits in recurrent CDI, being considered a salvatory option for patients that developed severe and recurrent CDI infection, despite proper antibiotic use [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ].…”

“…Up to date studies on FMT outlined its benefits in antibiotic-refractory CDI, autoimmune diseases, behavioral diseases, metabolic disorders and organic diseases. Furthermore, the review realized by Yuanyuan Zhao opened new perspectives, showing progress of fecal microbiota transplantation in liver diseases, through the gut–liver axis [ 30 ].…”

“…There is an increasing prevalence of UC as a chronic inflammation of the colonic mucosa caused by contact between luminal content and the mucosal immune system. It has a high prevalence of persistent or recurrent symptoms, including anemia with bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ].…”

“…CD is a chronic relapsing IBD that has not yet been fully understood, but is thought to be caused by excessive GI immune responses against the microbiota in the gut of genetically susceptible individuals or under an environmental influence [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Several studies have indicated that these patients have a dysbiosis of their intestinal microbiota, including an increase in bacteria that can cause inflammation, such as E. Coli, and a reduction in bacteria that prevent inflammation, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Recent clinical trials mention the role of FMT in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.…”

“…Studies with several mutant mouse strains demonstrated the impact of the innate immune system on the intestinal microbiota and the development of gut inflammation, metagenomic analyses of the gut microbiota outlined the co-dependence between intestinal microbes and inflammatory diseases of the gut. Furthermore, studies on mice emphasized that T- and B-cell-deficient mice lacking the T-bet transcription factor developed colitis with an altered microbiota that, upon transfer to wild-type-recipient mice, induced bowel inflammation [ 13 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis and Fusobacterium varium are some of the few specific bacteria that have been associated with IBD.…”