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Hermanson JB, Tolba SA, Chrisler EA, Leone VA. Gut microbes, diet, and genetics as drivers of metabolic liver disease: a narrative review outlining implications for precision medicine. J Nutr Biochem 2024; 133:109704. [PMID: 39029595 PMCID: PMC11480923 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2024.109704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is rapidly increasing in prevalence, impacting over a third of the global population. The advanced form of MASLD, Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), is on track to become the number one indication for liver transplant. FDA-approved pharmacological agents are limited for MASH, despite over 400 ongoing clinical trials, with only a single drug (resmetirom) currently on the market. This is likely due to the heterogeneous nature of disease pathophysiology, which involves interactions between highly individualized genetic and environmental factors. To apply precision medicine approaches that overcome interpersonal variability, in-depth insights into interactions between genetics, nutrition, and the gut microbiome are needed, given that each have emerged as dynamic contributors to MASLD and MASH pathogenesis. Here, we discuss the associations and molecular underpinnings of several of these factors individually and outline their interactions in the context of both patient-based studies and preclinical animal model systems. Finally, we highlight gaps in knowledge that will require further investigation to aid in successfully implementing precision medicine to prevent and alleviate MASLD and MASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake B Hermanson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Samar A Tolba
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Department of Nutrition and Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Evan A Chrisler
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Vanessa A Leone
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
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Xie XM, Feng S, Liu T, Feng J, Xu Y, Fan ZJ, Wang GY. Role of gut/liver metabolites and gut microbiota in liver fibrosis caused by cholestasis. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 139:112747. [PMID: 39067396 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY Cholestasis induces severe liver injury and subsequent liver fibrosis. However, a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between liver fibrosis and cholestasis-induced changes in metabolites in the gut and fibrotic liver tissue and in the gut microbiota is insufficient. METHODS Common bile duct ligation (BDL) was employed to establish a cholestatic liver fibrosis model in mice for 26 days. Fibrotic liver tissue and the gut contents were collected. Untargeted metabolomics was conducted for the determination of metabolites in the gut contents and liver tissues. Metagenomics was adopted to explore the gut microbiota. RESULTS The metabolites in the gut contents and liver tissues between normal and cholestatic liver fibrosis mice were highly distinct. Beta-alanine metabolism and glutathione metabolism were downregulated in the gut of the BDL group. Galactose metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, and ABC transporters were upregulated in the gut and downregulated in the liver of the BDL group. Arginine biosynthesis, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, and primary bile acid biosynthesis were downregulated in the gut and upregulated in the liver of the BDL group. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the alpha diversity of the microbiota in the BDL group decreased. The altered structure of the gut microbiota in the BDL group led to the hypofunction of important metabolic pathways (such as folate biosynthesis, histidine metabolism, thiamine metabolism, biotin metabolism, and phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis) and enzymes (such as NADH, DNA helicase, and DNA-directed DNA polymerase). Correlation analyses indicated that certain gut microbes were associated with gut and liver metabolites. CONCLUSIONS Untargeted metabolomics and metagenomics provided comprehensive information on gut and liver metabolism and gut microbiota in mice with cholestatic liver fibrosis. Therefore, significantly altered bacteria and metabolites may help provide some targets against cholestatic liver fibrosis in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Ming Xie
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, PR China
| | - Shu Feng
- Department of Medical Examination Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, PR China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous, Hubei Province 445000, PR China
| | - Jun Feng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, PR China
| | - Yuan Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, PR China
| | - Zi-Jun Fan
- The First Clinical School of Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, PR China
| | - Guo-Ying Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, PR China.
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Li X, Xu X, Tao S, Su Y, Wen L, Wang D, Liu J, Feng Q. Gut microbes combined with metabolomics reveal the protective effects of Qijia Rougan decoction against CCl 4-induced hepatic fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1347120. [PMID: 38606180 PMCID: PMC11007057 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1347120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The occurrence and development of Hepatic fibrosis (HF) are closely related to the gut microbial composition and alterations in host metabolism. Qijia Rougan decoction (QJ) is a traditional Chinese medicine compound utilized clinically for the treatment of HF with remarkable clinical efficacy. However, its effect on the gut microbiota and metabolite alterations is unknown. Therefore, our objective was to examine the impact of QJ on the gut microbiota and metabolism in Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced HF. Methods: 40% CCl4 was used to induce HF, followed by QJ administration for 6 weeks. Serum biochemical analyses, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and non-targeted metabolomics techniques were employed in this study to investigate the interventional effects of QJ on a CCl4-induced HF model in rats. Results: This study demonstrated that QJ could effectively ameliorate CCl4-induced hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Moreover, QJ upregulated the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins (TJPs) and notably altered the abundance of some gut microbes, for example, 10 genera closely associated with HF-related indicators and TJPs. In addition, metabolomics found 37 key metabolites responded to QJ treatment and strongly associated with HF-related indices and TJPs. Furthermore, a tight relation between 10 genera and 37 metabolites was found post correlation analysis. Among them, Turicibacter, Faecalibaculum, Prevotellaceae UCG 001, and unclassified Peptococcaceae may serve as the core gut microbes of QJ that inhibit HF. Conclusion: These results suggest that QJ ameliorates hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, which may be achieved by improving intestinal tight junctions and modulating gut microbiota composition as well as modulating host metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Dong Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jibin Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Quansheng Feng
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Bianchi MG, Chiu M, Taurino G, Bergamaschi E, Turroni F, Mancabelli L, Longhi G, Ventura M, Bussolati O. Amorphous silica nanoparticles and the human gut microbiota: a relationship with multiple implications. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:45. [PMID: 38291460 PMCID: PMC10826219 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02305-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Amorphous silica nanoparticles (ASNP) are among the nanomaterials that are produced in large quantities. ASNP have been present for a long time in several fast-moving consumer products, several of which imply exposure of the gastrointestinal tract, such as toothpastes, food additives, drug excipients, and carriers. Consolidated use and experimental evidence have consistently pointed to the very low acute toxicity and limited absorption of ASNP. However, slow absorption implies prolonged exposure of the intestinal epithelium to ASNP, with documented effects on intestinal permeability and immune gut homeostasis. These effects could explain the hepatic toxicity observed after oral administration of ASNP in animals. More recently, the role of microbiota in these and other ASNP effects has attracted increasing interest in parallel with the recognition of the role of microbiota in a variety of conditions. Although evidence for nanomaterial effects on microbiota is particularly abundant for materials endowed with bactericidal activities, a growing body of recent experimental data indicates that ASNPs also modify microbiota. The implications of these effects are recounted in this contribution, along with a discussion of the more important open issues and recommendations for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano G Bianchi
- Lab. of General Pathology, Dept. of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
- Interdepartmental Research Centre "Microbiome Research Hub", University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Martina Chiu
- Lab. of General Pathology, Dept. of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Taurino
- Lab. of General Pathology, Dept. of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Centre "Microbiome Research Hub", University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Enrico Bergamaschi
- Department of Public Health Sciences and Paediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Turroni
- Interdepartmental Research Centre "Microbiome Research Hub", University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Leonardo Mancabelli
- Interdepartmental Research Centre "Microbiome Research Hub", University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giulia Longhi
- Interdepartmental Research Centre "Microbiome Research Hub", University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Ventura
- Interdepartmental Research Centre "Microbiome Research Hub", University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Ovidio Bussolati
- Lab. of General Pathology, Dept. of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Centre "Microbiome Research Hub", University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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