A novel therapy targeting the gut-liver axis for chronic hepatitis B: Ursodeoxycholic acid plus <i>Bifidobacterium</i>.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Targeting the gut-liver axis is a promising strategy for treating liver diseases. We aimed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of targeting the gut microbiota-bile acid (BA) axis using ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) combined with the probiotic Bifidobacterium to treat chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods

BA profiles were characterized by mass spectrometry, and gut microbiota composition was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing in patients with CHB and healthy controls (HCs). The effects of UDCA and Bifidobacterium were assessed both in a preclinical model and in a 2-month clinical trial involving 22 patients with CHB who received either UDCA (250 mg twice daily; n = 6), Bifidobacterium (2 g twice daily; n = 6), or a combination of UDCA and B

SUBMITTER: Xun Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12282243 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature