Microbiome modulation as a therapeutic strategy for alcohol-induced gut dysbiosis and associated disorders

Chronic alcohol consumption alters the composition of the gut microbiota, leading to dysbiosis, increased intestinal permeability, and systemic inflammation, which collectively contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of alcohol-related disorders, encompassing hepatic disease, metabolic abnormalities, immune dysfunction, and neuropsychiatric conditions. The complex interactions of alcohol with the gut ecosystem illuminate the fundamental mechanisms that result in the disruption of the gut-liver axis, the imbalance of microbial metabolites, and the emergence of leaky gut syndrome. The bidirectional gut-brain axis is similarly impaired, intensifying concerns related to addiction and cognitive deficits. Therapeutic strategies, encompassing probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, dietary alterations, and fecal microbiota transplantation, offer promising modalities for reinstating microbial balance and alleviating alcohol-induced damage. Cutting-edge treatments such as paraprobiotics and bacteriophage therapy further highlight the potential of microbiome modulation as a viable therapeutic strategy. This review underscores the urgent need for precision-targeted, microbiota-based interventions and calls for expanded clinical research to translate these insights into effective treatments for alcohol-associated disorders.