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Updated: Jul 20, 2025

The Murine Choline-Deficient, Ethionine-Supplemented CDE Diet Model of Chronic Liver Injury
Published on: October 21, 2017
Avenues within the gut-liver-brain axis linking chronic liver disease and symptoms
Henry H Nguyen1, Mark G Swain2
1University of Calgary Liver Unit, Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Abstract:
Symptoms of fatigue, social withdrawal and mood disturbances are commonly encountered in patients with chronic liver disease and have a detrimental effect on patient quality of life. Treatment options for these symptoms are limited and a current area of unmet medical need. In this review, we will evaluate the potential mechanistic avenues within the gut-liver-brain axis that may be altered in the setting of chronic liver disease that drive the development of these symptoms. Both clinical and pre-clinical studies will be highlighted as we discuss how perturbations in host immune response, microbiome, neural responses, and metabolites composition can affect the central nervous system.
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