The gut microbiota is a very diverse ecosystem in that it is comprised of  over  2,000  distinct  species  and  has  a  collective  gemone  of  150  fold  more  genes  than  the  human  genome.  It  performs  vital  functions  related  to  not  only  nutrition,  metabolism  but  also  secretes  a  number  of  biologically  active  compounds  which  perform  various  functions  like  inhibition  of  pathogens  and  detoxification  of  toxic  compounds.

There  is  unique  co-ordination  between  and  liver.  The  gut-liver  axis  plays  important  role  in  the  pathogenesis  of  various  liver  diseases.  The  altered  gut  microbiota,  intestinal  permeability  and  bacterial  translocation  plays  a  relevant  role  in  the  development  of  bacterial  infections and other complications of cirrhosis such as variceal bleed, ascites,   hepatic   encephalopathy   (HE)   and   acute   on   chronic   liver   failure.  Probiotics  may  modulate  gut  microbiota  and  alter  pathogenic  interactions in chronic liver disease.

Gut microbiota has important role in pathogenesis of liver diseases. As knowledge regarding microbiota is improving; its role in health and diseases is being understood better. Gut microbiota has strong relationship with liver in health and its variations have significant role in pathogenesis of chronic liver diseases, including NAFLD, progression of fibrosis and HE etc.

The ability of probiotics to modulate gut microbiota is having therapeutic potential. There is some evidence regarding therapeutic use of probiotics in management of SBP and HE. Further research in evaluation of gut microbiota and appropriately selected useful bacterial strains as treatment modality should be undertaken.

Joise Angelina
Journal of Probiotics & Health
Whatsapp No.: +32 25889658
biotechbiomaterials@journalres.org