Probiotics and liver disease.
Modulation of intestinal flora through the use of probiotics is an emerging therapeutic strategy in the management of chronic liver diseases. This article focuses on the pathophysiologic basis for using probiotics in liver disease and reviews the existing literature on the subject. The role of probiotics is examined in the following areas: a) prevention of infection, b) the hyperdynamic circulatory state of cirrhosis, c) hepatic encephalopathy, d) liver function, and e) nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8000, USA.
Anish A
AA
Sheth
Guadalupe
G
Garcia-Tsao
D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000628:therapy; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*