Indole is a chemical produced by gut bacteria that sends a direct signal to the liver to stop itself from scarring.
Liver fibrosis and scarring are usually seen as permanent damage caused by toxins or poor diet. Bacteria in the digestive tract produce specific metabolites that travel through the blood to activate a protective pathway in the liver. This chemical conversation effectively blocks the inflammatory signals that lead to organ failure. This discovery means that a healthy gut is not just about digestion, it is an active defense system for the liver. Future treatments for liver disease might involve swallowing specific bacteria instead of undergoing surgery.
Gut Microbiota Protects Against Liver Injury and Fibrosis via Activation of the CYP Eicosanoid Pathway
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Abstract Gut microbiota has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of liver injury and fibrosis, but the specific microbial factors or pathways involved remain poorly defined. Here we show that specific gut microbial metabolites, notably indole, activate the cytochrome P450 (CYP) eicosanoid pathway in the liver and protect the liver against liver injury and fibrosis. Using LC-MS/MS-based lipidomics to compare conventionally raised mice with germ-free or antibiotic-treated mice,