The interaction between bile acids and the gut microbiota is implicated in the pathophysiology of many intestinal and gastrointestinal diseases, especially cholestatic liver disease. In particular, the progression of autoimmune cholestatic liver diseases also affects the composition of the gut microbiota, exacerbating the development of cholestasis in this interactive cycle.

Environmental, genetic and metabolic factors as well as altered gut microbiota are involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Bile acids and metabolites help maintain homeostasis of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides in the liver and regulate inflammation. This is considered a potential therapeutic target for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Recent studies have shown that bile acids act as omnidirectional signaling molecules mediating enteric-hepatic crosstalk. The complex relationship between bile acids and the gut microbiota (depending on and inhibiting each other) plays an important role in the maintenance of mammalian homeostasis.

Previous studies have shown that gut microbiota changes or dysbiosis in patients with chronic liver disease or cirrhosis are often accompanied by a significant decrease in total bile acids and acid ratio. secondary/primary bile acids.

Alcoholic liver disease is initially characterized by fatty liver, which can then develop into alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and cirrhosis. Alcohol can cause damage to many target organs, especially the brain, intestines, and liver. It should be noted that drinking alcohol can alter the structure of the gut microbiota before liver disease occurs.