Intestinal microbiota and biliary system diseases

Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2024 Mar 15:14:1362933. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1362933. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence of biliary system diseases has been continuously increasing in the past decade. Biliary system diseases bring a heavy burden to humanity and society. However, the specific etiology and pathogenesis are still unknown. The biliary system, as a bridge between the liver and intestine, plays an indispensable role in maintaining the physiological metabolism of the body. Therefore, prevention and treatment of biliary diseases are crucial. It is worth noting that the microorganisms participate in the lipid metabolism of the bile duct, especially the largest proportion of intestinal bacteria.

Methods: We systematically reviewed the intestinal microbiota in patients with gallstones (GS), non-calculous biliary inflammatory, and biliary tract cancer (BTC). And searched Pubmed, Embase and Web of science for research studies published up to November 2023.

Results: We found that the abundance of Faecalibacterium genus is decreased in GS, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and BTC. Veillonella, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus and Enterococcus genus were significantly increased in PSC, PBC and BTC. Interestingly, we found that the relative abundance of Clostridium was generally reduced in GS, PBC and BTC. However, Clostridium was generally increased in PSC.

Discussion: The existing research mostly focuses on exploring the mechanisms of bacteria targeting a single disease. Lacking comparison of multiple diseases and changes in bacteria during the disease process. We hope to provide biomarkers forearly diagnosis of biliary system diseases and provide new directions for the mechanism of intestinal microbiota in biliary diseases.

Keywords: biliary tract cancer; gallstones; microbial community; primary biliary cholangitis; primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria
  • Biliary Tract* / pathology
  • Biomarkers
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing* / diagnosis
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing* / microbiology
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing* / pathology
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Humans
  • Liver / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This study was supported by the fund of Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation (1908085MH261); Armed police equipment research of China (ZZKY20233109); Armed police Force discipline top talent fund (ZG2020901); Armed police Force high-level science and technology personnel fund (ZG202193); Key discipline construction project.