Hepatic dysfunction induced by intestinal dysbacteriosis mainly manifests as immunologic abnormity in mice

Currently, the potential role of the alterations occurring in the liver immune system and intestinal flora in liver injury remains unknown. Our study aimed to explore the impacts of intestinal microbial barrier damage induced by ceftriaxone on liver immunity. We developed the BALB/c mice model by administering ceftriaxone. The intestinal microbial barrier damage was observed by 16S rRNA, and the pathological changes of intestines and livers were detected by H&E or transmission electron microscope. The activation of immunocytes were tested by Flow Cytometry; the expression of LPS, ALT, AST, IL-6 and TNF-α were detected by Limulus Test or ELISA. Compared to the control, the intestinal microbes significantly decreased in ceftriaxone group. Additionally, the weight of cecum contents increased, the intestinal wall became thinner and the villus in the small intestine and cecum were damaged. The expression of LPS and the ratio of liver lymphocytes were significantly increased. H&E results indicated the structures of liver arose the pathologic changes. Meanwhile, the content of serum ALT, AST, IL-6 and TNF-α increased. Collectively, our study indicates that the damages of gut microbial barrier induced by ceftriaxone prompted activation of immunocytes and release of inflammatory cytokines, which may lead to chronic inflammation in liver.