Role of the microbiota and antibiotics in primary sclerosing cholangitis

Biomed Res Int. 2013:2013:389537. doi: 10.1155/2013/389537. Epub 2013 Oct 22.

Abstract

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an idiopathic, progressive, cholestatic liver disease with considerable morbidity and mortality and no established pharmacotherapy. In addition to the long-recognized association between PSC and inflammatory bowel disease, several lines of preclinical and clinical evidence implicate the microbiota in the etiopathogenesis of PSC. Here we provide a concise review of these data which, taken together, support further investigation of the role of the microbiota and antibiotics in PSC as potential avenues toward elucidating safe and effective pharmacotherapy for patients afflicted by this illness.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing / complications
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing / drug therapy
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing / microbiology*
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / complications
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / microbiology*
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / pathology
  • Mice
  • Microbiota*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents