Gut Microbiome in the Progression of NAFLD, NASH and Cirrhosis, and Its Connection with Biotics: A Bibliometric Study Using Dimensions Scientific Research Database

Abstract

There is growing evidence that gut microbiota dysbiosis is linked to the etiopathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), from the initial stage of disease until the progressive stage of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and the final stage of cirrhosis. Conversely, probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics have shown promise in restoring dysbiosis and lowering clinical indicators of disease in a number of both preclinical and clinical studies. Additionally, postbiotics and parabiotics have recently garnered some attention. The purpose of this bibliometric analysis is to assess recent publishing trends concerning the role of the gut microbiome in the progression of NAFLD, NASH and cirrhosis and its connection with biotics. The free access version of the Dimensions scientific research database was used to find publications in this field from 2002 to 2022. VOSviewer and Dimensions’ integrated tools were used to analyze current research trends. Research into the following topics is expected to emerge in this field: (1) evaluation of risk factors which are correlated with the progression of NAFLD, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome; (2) pathogenic mechanisms, such as liver inflammation through toll-like receptors activation, or alteration of short-chain fatty acids metabolisms, which contribute to NAFLD development and its progression in more severe forms, such as cirrhosis; (3) therapy for cirrhosis through dysbiosis reduction, and research on hepatic encephalopathy a common consequence of cirrhosis; (4) evaluation of diversity, and composition of gut microbiome under NAFLD, and as it varies under NASH and cirrhosis by rRNA gene sequencing, a tool which can also be used for the development of new probiotics and explore into the impact of biotics on the gut microbiome; (5) treatments to reduce dysbiosis with new probiotics, such as Akkermansia, or with fecal microbiome transplantation.

Research reviews and prospects of gut microbiota in liver cirrhosis: a bibliometric analysis (2001–2023)

“…This study has the following advantages: our study is the first to systematically and comprehensively analyze the gut microbiota of liver cirrhosis using bibliometric methods, which is different from previous studies. For example, Pezzino S et al undertook a bibliometric study on the impact of the intestinal microbiome in NAFLD/NASH, and related liver cirrhosi based on the Dimensions scientific research database ( Pezzino et al, 2023 ). Our study includes research on cirrhosis also caused by viral hepatitis, autoimmune diseases, long-term heavy alcohol consumption, obesity, cholestasis, and other causes.…”

The Current and Future State of Microbiome Therapeutics in Liver Disease

“…In liver disease, FMT trials have been performed in cirrhotic and precirrhotic stages with varying levels of success (63). In precirrhotic nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, FMTs have been largely unsuccessful in meaningfully changing clinical outcomes but have been noted as safe (64). As a corollary, smaller studies showed that FMT could improve insulin resistance, which was not sustained in larger experiences (65)(66)(67)(68).…”

The Impact of Probiotic Bifidobacterium on Liver Diseases and the Microbiota

“…The complex interplay within the gastrointestinal system leads to dysbiosis-an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota [5]. Various studies have suggested that individuals with NAFLD, NASH, ALD, Cirrhosis, and Hepatocellular HCC exhibit dysbiosis [6,7]. Therefore, understanding the microbiota composition and its implications in other biological and clinical aspects can advance the diagnosis and treatment of significant liver lesions [8].…”