Journal Article

Distinct gut microbiota and metabolomic profiles in HBV-related liver cirrhosis: insights into disease progression

Sun, Lina, Shi, Ke, Wang, Xianbo, Feng, Ying

2025

Overview

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver cirrhosis (HBV-LC) is a significant global health issue, affecting gut microbiota (GM) composition and metabolic processes. This study aimed to explore the associations between intestinal microbiota, metabolic profiles, and disease progression in patients with HBV-LC. Fecal samples were collected prospectively from 40 healthy controls (HC) and 83 HBV-LC patients between December 2022 and August 2023. Gut microbiota alterations at various stages of liver function were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Untargeted metabolomics was employed to identify potential biomarkers and metabolic pathways associated with early cirrhosis. Additionally, correlations between bacterial genera, inflammatory markers, and metabolites were investigated. HBV-LC patients demonstrated a significant reduction in bacterial diversity and relative abundance compared to the HC group. Genera such as and were notably depleted, while and were enriched in patients with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores ≥ 21 or Child-Turcotte-Pugh C grade. Correlation analyses revealed strong associations between intestinal flora, clinical indicators of disease severity, and inflammatory factors. Metabolic analysis showed decreased levels of tocopherol and 21-hydroxypregnenolone, which were strongly linked to the reduced abundance of and . Biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and linoleic acid metabolism emerged as critical enrichment pathways. HBV-LC patients displayed significant alterations in gut microbiota and fecal metabolites, which correlated closely with disease severity and inflammatory status. These findings provide new insights into cirrhosis pathogenesis and suggest potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease monitoring.

• Publisher: Frontiers Media SA,Frontiers Media S.A
• Subject: 16S rRNA sequencing / Adult / Alcoholism / Alistipes / Aqueous solutions / Bacteria - classification / Bacteria - genetics / Bacteria - isolation & purification / Bacteria - metabolism / Biomarkers / Body mass index / Case-Control Studies / Cellular and Infection Microbiology / Chemokines / Chromatography / Cirrhosis / Correlation analysis / Cytokines / Diabetes / Digestive system / Discriminant analysis / Disease Progression / Feces / Feces - microbiology / Female / Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Gastrointestinal tract / Gut microbiota / Hepatitis B / Hepatitis B - complications / Hepatitis B virus / Hepatitis B, Chronic - complications / Humans / Hypertension / Intestinal microflora / Lachnospira / Linoleic acid / Liver cirrhosis / Liver Cirrhosis - metabolism / Liver Cirrhosis - microbiology / Liver Cirrhosis - pathology / Liver Cirrhosis - virology / Liver diseases / Male / Mass spectrometry / Metabolic pathways / Metabolism / Metabolites / Metabolome / Metabolomics / Microbiota / Middle Aged / Prospective Studies / Public health / RNA, Ribosomal, 16S - genetics / rRNA 16S / Scientific imaging / Software / Taxonomy / Tumor necrosis factor-TNF / Ultrasonic imaging / Variables