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Review
. 2023 Feb 20;12(4):1683.
doi: 10.3390/jcm12041683.

Research Progress of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Liver Diseases

Yuanyuan Zhao  1 , Chen Gong  2 , Jing Xu  1 , Dong Chen  1 , Bo Yang  1 , Zhishui Chen  1 , Lai Wei  1
Affiliations
Review

Research Progress of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Liver Diseases

Yuanyuan Zhao et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

A growing body of evidence suggested that gut microbiota is associated with liver diseases through the gut-liver axis. The imbalance of gut microbiota could be correlated with the occurrence, development, and prognosis of a series of liver diseases, including alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) seems to be a method to normalize the patient's gut microbiota. This method has been traced back to the 4th century. In recent decade, FMT has been highly regarded in several clinical trials. As a novel approach to reconstruct the intestinal microecological balance, FMT has been used to treat the chronic liver diseases. Therefore, in this review, the role of FMT in the treatment of liver diseases was summarized. In addition, the relationship between gut and liver was explored through the gut-liver axis, and the definition, objectives, advantages, and procedures of FMT were described. Finally, the clinical value of FMT therapy in liver transplant (LT) recipients was briefly discussed.

Keywords: chronic liver diseases; fecal microbiota transplantation; gut microbiota; gut-liver axis; liver transplantation.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The diagrammatic representation of the gut–liver axis. The gut–liver axis refers to the bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the liver by the biliary tract, the portal vein, and systemic circulation. Through portal vein, liver mainly receives blood and nutritional supply, as well as gut-derived toxic factors. Probiotics and beneficial compositions from the gut can also protect liver through the gut–liver axis. Liver regulates the intestinal function and balance of gut microbiota through the bile acid.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The process of FMT donor selection.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The potential signaling pathways and alteration of gut microbiota in patients with NAFLD/NASH. The figure shows the alteration of gut microbiota and potential signaling pathways in the process from normal liver to NAFLD/NASH, and finally to cirrhosis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Grants and funding

This study was supported by grants from the Health Commission of Hubei Province (funder: ZS.C; Grant No. WJ2021C001) and Key Research and Development Plan of Hubei Province (funder: ZS.C; Grant No. 2022BCA015).