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Gut microbiome therapeutic modulation to alleviate drug-induced hepatic damage in COVID-19 patients

Khansa Ahsan1, Munir Ahmad Anwar2, Nayla Munawar3

  • 1Department of Chemistry, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates.

World Journal of Gastroenterology
|April 20, 2023
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 can cause liver injury through immune responses and drug side effects. Gut microbiota imbalances during treatment may worsen liver inflammation, highlighting the gut-liver axis role in COVID-19 liver complications.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents with diverse symptoms beyond respiratory issues, including liver abnormalities.
  • Cytokine release during infection and high-dose medications contribute significantly to liver injury in COVID-19 patients.
  • Chronic liver disease patients may experience severe hepatic inflammation when infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the bidirectional relationship between liver physiology and gut microbiota (gut-liver axis).
  • To investigate the role of the gut-liver axis in drug-induced liver chemical abnormalities in COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on COVID-19, liver injury, and gut microbiota.
  • Analysis of the interplay between immune responses, drug metabolism, and the gut-liver axis in the context of COVID-19.

Main Results:

  • Gut dysbiosis, potentially exacerbated by COVID-19 treatments, can promote liver inflammation.
  • The gut-liver axis influences liver chemistry through microbial metabolites.
  • This axis plays a role in manipulating drug-induced liver abnormalities.

Conclusions:

  • The gut-liver axis is a critical factor in understanding and potentially managing liver complications in COVID-19 patients.
  • Targeting gut microbiota may offer therapeutic strategies for mitigating drug-induced liver injury in COVID-19.
Keywords:
COVID-19CytokinesGut microbiomeGut-liver axisPrebioticsProbiotics

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