The microbiome and human disease: A new organ of interest in biliary disease

Abstract

The composition of the gut microbiome is different in patients and controls in many conditions including some biliary diseases. The liver's close relationship with the gut makes it the primary recipient of degradation products and metabolites originating from the gut. The gut microbiome is therefore important for liver health. The microbiome also has a major influence on bile acid homeostasis, making it particularly relevant for the bile ducts. To what degree it is active in the pathogenesis or progress of biliary diseases is however not known. Still, there is a clinical potential as biomarkers of diagnosis, disease stage or activity. Furthermore, gut microbiome interventions could theoretically be one means of adjusting the biliary environment. This research field is advancing rapidly and provides hopes of new treatment options in the era of personalized medicine.