Bibliometric analysis of research trends and hotspots in gamma-aminobutyric acid and liver-related diseases
10.7659/j.issn.1005-6947.250156
- VernacularTitle:基于文献计量学的γ-氨基丁酸与肝脏相关疾病研究趋势与热点分析
- Author:
Zhihao BAI
1
;
Jiaxin LI
;
Zhen YANG
;
Ning ZHOU
Author Information
1. 湖南师范大学附属第一医院/湖南省人民医院 肝胆外科,湖南 长沙 410011
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Liver Diseases;
Liver Neoplasms;
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid;
Bibliometrics
- From:
Chinese Journal of General Surgery
2025;34(6):1246-1261
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Background and Aims:Gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA),the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system,has been increasingly recognized in recent years as being closely associated with various liver-related diseases,such as hepatic encephalopathy,liver cirrhosis,and hepatocellular carcinoma.Abnormal GABA expression is strongly linked to pathological processes including cognitive impairment and neuroinflammation.Although numerous studies have investigated the mechanistic roles of GABA in neurological complications of liver disease,a systematic overview of the field's research trends,collaborative networks,and emerging hotspots remains lacking.This study employs bibliometric methods to comprehensively map the evolution and frontier topics in GABA and liver-related disease research from 2005 to 2024,aiming to inform future research planning and resource allocation in this area.Methods:English-language publications from 2005 to 2024 related to GABA and liver-related diseases were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection.Eligible articles were analyzed using VOSviewer,CiteSpace,and the R package"bibliometrix"to visualize and evaluate contributions by countries/regions,institutions,authors,and journals.Additional analyses included keyword clustering,co-citation analysis,and thematic evolution of research topics.Results:A total of 237 articles were included,contributed by 1 340 authors across 456 institutions in 47 countries,and published in 168 journals.The United States and China are leading contributors in this field.Although countries such as the United Kingdom and Italy had fewer publications,they demonstrated higher average citation counts,indicating strong research quality.Notably,Spain's Centro Investigación Principe Felipe and the research team led by Felipo Vicente exhibited high academic influence.Neurochemistry International and Hepatology were identified as core journals,with Hepatology having the highest impact factor(12.9).Keyword clustering revealed major research focuses including the regulatory role of GABA in the neural mechanisms of hepatic encephalopathy,the impact of liver-related metabolic disorders on neurotransmitter balance,the development and evaluation of GABA receptor-targeted therapeutics,and the function of the GABAergic system in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma.As research deepens,the frequency of emerging keywords has diversified,with recent emphasis on terms such as"quality of life,""gene expression,"and"fatty liver disease,"reflecting a shift from fundamental mechanisms to clinical translation and interdisciplinary integration.Conclusion:The relationship between GABA and liver diseases has become a focal point of interdisciplinary research.Investigations have expanded from pathological mechanisms to therapeutic applications,with growing interest in GABA's roles in hepatic encephalopathy,metabolic dysregulation,and tumor progression.Future studies should explore the specific functions of GABA receptor subtypes,promote the development of precision-targeted therapies,and investigate novel mechanisms such as the gut microbiota-GABA metabolism-brain-liver axis to broaden the clinical and translational potential of GABA in neurological,metabolic,and oncological contexts.
