Kvit K. B., Kharchenko V. V., Bodrevych B. B.

REBUILDING BRIDGES IN THE GUT-LIVER AXIS: MICROBIOME AND BARRIER INTEGRITY IN METABOLIC DYSFUNCTION-ASSOCIATED STEATOTIC LIVER DISEASE THERAPY

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About the author:

Kvit K. B., Kharchenko V. V., Bodrevych B. B.

Heading:

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE

Type of article:

Scientific article

Annotation:

Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is considered a multifactorial disorder that develops in the context of metabolic disturbances and systemic inflammation. Recent scientific data indicate an important role of the interaction between the gut and the liver in the development of this pathology. Changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota and impairment of the intestinal barrier function may facilitate the entry of microbial components into the portal circulation, which potentially activates inflammatory mechanisms in the liver and sustains metabolic dysfunction. One of the markers of impaired intestinal barrier integrity is considered to be zonulin, a regulator of intercellular tight junctions of the intestinal epithelium. The aim of the study was to deter mine the association between indicators of intestinal permeability, characteristics of the intestinal microbiome, and clinical and metabolic features in patients with MASLD, as well as to evaluate possible changes in these parameters under the influence of therapy aimed at microbiome modification. The study involved 152 patients with MASLD and 47 individuals without signs of liver disease, who constituted the control group. Anthropometric, biochemical, and metabolic parameters were assessed. Analysis of the intestinal microbiome composition was performed using quantitative real-time PCR, and the concentration of fecal zonulin was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. As part of the treatment, a comprehensive approach was applied, including lifestyle modification and micro biome-oriented therapy. Patients with MASLD demonstrated more pronounced metabolic disturbances, elevated lev els of liver enzymes and inflammatory markers, as well as significantly higher levels of fecal zonulin compared with the control group. After treatment, improvement in metabolic parameters, a decrease in zonulin levels, and changes in the intestinal microbial profile were observed, indicating partial restoration of the intestinal barrier function. The results of the study demonstrate that MASLD is associated with intestinal microbiome dysbiosis and increased in testinal permeability, and that microbiome-targeted therapy may contribute to the restoration of intestinal barrier function and improvement of metabolic parameters.

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Bibliography:

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Publication of the article:

«Bulletin of problems biology and medicine», 2026 Issue 1, 180, 259-270 pages, index UDC 616.36-003.826-06:616.34-008.87-008.6]-08

DOI:

10.29254/2077-4214-2026-1-180-259-270