Fibroblast Growth Factor 19 Alters Bile Acids to Induce Dysbiosis in Mice With Alcohol-Induced Liver Disease

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to alcohol-associated liver disease, a spectrum of conditions ranging from steatosis to fibrosis and cirrhosis. Bile acids regulate metabolic pathways by binding to cellular and nuclear receptors, and they also interact with the gut microbiome to control microbial overgrowth. Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF-19) is an ileum-derived hormone induced and released in response to bile acid activation of the nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor. FGF-19 signaling is dysregulated with ethanol consumption and is increased in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. Here, we examined the effects of FGF-19 in a mouse model of chronic + binge ethanol feeding.

After injection of adeno-associated virus-green fluorescent protein or AAV-FGF-19, female C57BL/6J mice were pair-fed a Lieber DeCarli liquid diet (5% v/v) or control diet for 10 days and were given a bolus gavage of 5% ethanol or maltose control to represent a binge drinking episode. Tissues were collected for analysis 9 hours after the binge.

Chronic + binge ethanol feeding induced steatosis regardless of FGF-19 expression. Interestingly, FGF-19 and ethanol resulted in significantly increased liver inflammation, as measured by Il6, Tgfβ, and Tnfα, compared with ethanol alone. Both ethanol and FGF-19 decreased bile acid synthesis, and FGF-19 significantly reduced secondary bile acids, leading to overgrowth of specific pathogenic bacteria including Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium perfringens.

Dysregulation of FGF-19 and consequent changes in bile acid synthesis and composition during alcohol consumption may be a contributing factor to alcohol-induced liver disease and dysbiosis.