Mechanisms of gut-gallbladder microbial interactions and their metabolites in synergistically regulating gallstone formation

VernacularTitle:肠道-胆囊微生物相互作用及其代谢产物协同调控胆囊结石形成的机制
Author: Abilimiti XIERZHATI ¹ ; Dawulietihan DILAREYI ; Hao GU
Author Information

1. 新疆医科大学第一附属医院肝脏腹腔镜外科，乌鲁木齐　830011
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Cholecystolithiasis; Microbiota; Metabolite; Cholesterol metabolism
From: Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2025;31(11):871-876
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Gallstone is a prevalent metabolic disorder worldwide. Its pathogenesis involves multiple factors such as bile component imbalance, cholesterol metabolic dysregulation, and a chronic inflammatory microenvironment. Recent studies revealed that dysbiosis of the gut and gallbladder microbiota drives gallstone formation through a "metabolic-immuno-inflammatory" triple mechanism: microbiota alters the bile acid metabolism, activates immune pathways (e.g., NF-κB), and generate pro-lithogenic metabolites (e.g., trimethylamine N-oxide). This review summarizes the microbial features of patients with gallstone disease, the functions of microbiota-derived metabolites, and the role of the gut-bladder axis in cholesterol homeostasis disruption. Furthermore, it discusses novel preventive and therapeutic strategies targeting the microbiota (e.g., probiotics, modulation of the farnesoid X receptor) and the development of multi-omics biomarkers.