[The intestinal microflora and cholestatic liver diseases]

Cholestatic liver diseases (CHD) refers to a kind of liver disease in which accumulation of excessive bile due to various causes from inside and outside of the liver blocks the formation, secretion and excretion of bile, and thereby induce the normal bile flow unable to enter the duodenum. During the occurrence and development of CHD, intestinal microflora plays an important role in regulating bile acid metabolism, and immune response. In addition, CHD affects the composition, abundance and function of intestinal microflora, which in turn affects the synthesis and metabolism of bile acids. Hence, bile acids being an important signaling molecule for the occurrence and development of CHD plays role in the pathophysiological processes through bile acid transporters and nuclear receptors, such as farnesoid receptors. This paper briefly introduces the relationship between intestinal microecology and cholestatic liver disease based on the interrelationship among bile acid, intestinal flora and cholestatic liver disease, with a view to provide assistance in the treatment of cholestatic liver disease.