Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026

09:18
A Gut-on-a-Chip Model to Study the Gut Microbiome-Nervous System Axis
Published on: July 28, 2023
Liver-nervous system axis: pathways, dysregulation, and translational perspectives
Donglin Hao1,2, Yuebo Hu3, Wei Luo1
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wujin Hospital Affiliated With Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Changzhou, 213017, China.
Journal of Neuroinflammation
|May 22, 2026
Summary
The liver-nervous system axis regulates body homeostasis, but its disease mechanisms are unclear. This study clarifies liver-brain interactions to identify new therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Hepatology
- Physiology
Background:
- The liver and nervous system interact via a bidirectional regulatory network, essential for homeostasis.
- Mechanisms underlying liver-nervous system communication in disease are not fully understood.
- Blood-brain barrier transport of liver metabolites requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review recent advances in liver-brain axis research.
- To elucidate coordinated regulatory patterns under physiological and pathological conditions.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets for liver and nervous system disorders.
Main Methods:
- Integration of research on liver innervation and neuroregulatory effects of liver substances.
- Analysis of trans-organ inflammatory mediator conduction.
- Inclusion of clinical evidence from interventions like beta-blockers and vagus nerve stimulation.
Main Results:
- The study provides a comprehensive overview of the liver-brain axis.
- It details physiological regulatory patterns and pathological interaction mechanisms.
- It highlights the role of liver metabolites and inflammatory mediators in inter-organ communication.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the liver-brain axis is crucial for metabolic and immune homeostasis.
- Disruptions in this axis contribute to disease pathogenesis.
- This review offers a theoretical basis and potential therapeutic strategies for related diseases.
Related Concept Videos
Gut-Brain Axis
The gut–brain axis is a bidirectional communication system that connects the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This interaction is mediated through multiple pathways, including the vagus nerve, hormonal signals, immune responses, and chemical messengers produced by gut microbes.Microbial Contributions to Brain FunctionGut microbiota contributes significantly to brain function by producing neuroactive compounds. These include neuroactive compounds that influence neurotransmitters such as...
Disorders of the Nervous Tissue
Nervous tissue is a vital component of the human body's communication system, enabling us to perceive and respond to stimuli. However, like all other tissues, it is vulnerable to disorders and diseases that can significantly impact our neurological functioning.
Homeostatic Imbalances:
Alzheimer's disease manifests as a gradual decline in memory and cognitive abilities, attributed to the buildup of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
Parkinson's disease arises from the...
Homeostatic Imbalances:
Alzheimer's disease manifests as a gradual decline in memory and cognitive abilities, attributed to the buildup of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
Parkinson's disease arises from the...
Liver Physiology
The liver, an essential organ in the human body, performs over 200 vital functions that can be broadly categorized into metabolic, hematological, endocrine regulation, and bile production.
Metabolic Regulation:
The liver is the central organ involved in regulating blood composition. It stabilizes blood glucose levels, maintaining them within the range of 70–110 mg/dL. When these levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen reserves and releases glucose into the bloodstream. It can also...
Metabolic Regulation:
The liver is the central organ involved in regulating blood composition. It stabilizes blood glucose levels, maintaining them within the range of 70–110 mg/dL. When these levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen reserves and releases glucose into the bloodstream. It can also...
Hepatic Encephalopathy
DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic shunting—including...
Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology
Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...
Neural Regulation
Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.
