Progress and prospects of gut microbiota-targeted therapy for primary biliary cholangitis.

2025-11-10
Gut pathogens 17(1)
- Xuan Tang
- Xin You

PubMed: 41214728
DOI: 10.1186/s13099-025-00753-w

Study Design

Type: Review

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic autoimmune disease. Current therapeutic options are limited, with some patients responding poorly to first-line treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid. However, second-line drugs are difficult to develop. There are no drugs available to treat liver dysfunction. Currently, the etiology of PBC is unknown, and the intestinal flora affects the liver through the gut‒liver axis. The hypothesis of intestinal dysbiosis has gradually been accepted and involves mechanisms such as leaky gut, abnormal bile acids metabolism, and dysregulated immune tolerance. We found that gut microbiota-targeted therapy, including antibiotics, dietary regulation, probiotic supplementation, and fecal microbiota transplantation, can effectively improve liver function, remodel the intestinal microbiota, and alleviate symptom. However, this therapy has limitations, such as large individual differences and unknown long-term efficacy and safety. Large-scale and long-term clinical studies are expected to promote the broad application of gut microbiota-targeted therapy in the clinic.

Research Insights

Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Improved Liver Function
We found that gut microbiota-targeted therapy, including antibiotics, dietary regulation, probiotic supplementation, and fecal microbiota transplantation, can effectively improve liver function
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Reduced Symptoms
...and alleviate symptom.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Remodeled Intestinal Microbiota
...remodel the intestinal microbiota...
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Symptom Alleviation
We found that gut microbiota-targeted therapy, including antibiotics, dietary regulation, probiotic supplementation, and fecal microbiota transplantation, can effectively improve liver function, remodel the intestinal microbiota, and alleviate symptom.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate