Microbiome-obesity-liver cancer interaction: Senescence of hepatic stellate cells and bile acids play new roles

摘要

The increased prevalence of obesity is a significant health concern in developed countries. Epidemiologic human studies and experiments using rodents show that obesity is associated with not only the manifestations of metabolic disease, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but also with increased incidence of a number of cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The incidence of HCC is increased in patients with hepatosteatosis accompanied with liver inflammation (referred to as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) rather than patients with simple steatosis. Emerging evidences demonstrate that intestinal microbiome is among the key components in the progression of obesity and HCC (Nature 2006; 444:1027-1031; Cancer Cell 2012;21:504-516).