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Updated: May 13, 2026

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model

Published on: April 6, 2022

Gut microbiota and hepatic encephalopathy.

Radha K Dhiman¹

¹Department of Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India. rkpsdhiman@hotmail.com

Metabolic Brain Disease

|March 7, 2013

Summary

The gut microbiome influences liver health and hepatic encephalopathy (HE). While prebiotics and probiotics show potential for treating HE by altering gut bacteria, current evidence is low quality, precluding recommendations. Further research is needed.

Area of Science:

Gastroenterology
Hepatology
Microbiology

Background:

The gut and liver share a close functional relationship via the portal venous system.
Alterations in gut microbiota and their by-products are implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE).
Intestinal barrier and immune dysfunction contribute to HE and systemic inflammation in liver cirrhosis.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the literature on the relationship between gut flora and hepatic encephalopathy (HE).
To explore the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of HE.
To evaluate the potential of gut-modulating therapies, such as prebiotics and probiotics, in HE treatment.

Main Methods:

Literature review summarizing findings on gut flora and HE.

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Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model

Published on: April 6, 2022

Analysis of the impact of gut microbiota by-products on liver function and HE development.

Assessment of current evidence for probiotic efficacy in HE treatment.

Main Results:

Gut microbiota dysbiosis and associated by-products (ammonia, endotoxins) are key in HE pathogenesis.
Prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics may modulate gut flora, potentially improving HE.
Current trials on probiotics for HE are of low quality with high risk of bias and random errors.

Conclusions:

The gut-liver axis plays a critical role in hepatic encephalopathy.
While gut-targeted therapies show promise, current evidence for probiotics in HE treatment is insufficient.
High-quality randomized controlled trials are necessary to establish the efficacy of probiotics for HE.