Potential role of bile acids in the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most common acute gastrointestinal diseases in preterm infants. Recent studies have found that NEC is not only caused by changes in the intestinal environment but also by the failure of multiple systems and organs, including the liver. The accumulation of bile acids (BAs) in the ileum and the disorder of ileal BA transporters are related to the ileum injury of NEC. Inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-18 secreted by NEC also play an important role in regulating intrahepatic BA transporters. As an important link connecting the liver and intestinal circulation, the bile acid metabolic pathway plays an important role in the regulation of intestinal microbiota, cell proliferation, and barrier protection. In this review, we focus on how bile acids explore the dynamic changes of bile acid meta-bolism in necrotizing enterocolitis and the potential therapeutic value of targeting the bile acid signaling pathways.

Automated summary

This article reviews the role of bile acids in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and their potential therapeutic value. The dysregulation of bile acids is associated with intestinal injury, and inflammatory factors in the liver also play a crucial role in regulating bile acid transport. The bile acid metabolic pathway is important for regulating intestinal microbiota, cell proliferation, and barrier protection.