GUT MICROBIOTA ALTERATIONS IN RODENT MODELS OF CHOLESTASIS INDUCED BY BILE DUCT LIGATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• Microbiology
• Translational Medicine

Background:

• Cholestatic liver diseases pose significant public health challenges due to impaired bile flow.
• The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in cholestasis pathogenesis via gut-liver axis interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and evaluate changes in intestinal microbiota in rodents with bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced cholestasis.
• To analyze microbial diversity, taxonomic shifts, and their pathophysiological implications.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase (Jan 2020-Feb 2025).
• Inclusion of original research studies using BDL in rodents without therapeutic intervention.
• Qualitative analysis of experimental conditions and microbiome outcomes.

Main Results:

• Twenty-two studies revealed BDL consistently induces gut dysbiosis, reducing alpha diversity and altering beta diversity.
• Common taxonomic shifts include increased Prevotella, Enterococcus, E. coli, Alistipes, and decreased Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus.
• Elevated Akkermansia muciniphila and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum may indicate compensatory microbial responses.

Conclusions:

• BDL-induced cholestasis leads to gut microbiota alterations that can impair intestinal barrier integrity and increase liver inflammation.
• Findings support the gut-liver axis role and potential of microbiota-targeted therapies for cholestatic diseases.
• Further clinical studies are necessary to validate these strategies in human conditions.