Gut microbiome-specific nanoparticle-based therapeutics for liver diseases

Abstract

Alcohol-associated liver disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis are chronic liver diseases (CLDs) driven by metabolic dysregulation, immune dysfunction, and gut microbiome alterations. Current treatments are inadequate and provide only symptomatic relief in most cases, underscoring the urgent need for forward-looking approaches. The disturbances in gut and liver communication contribute towards disease progression, making microbiome-based therapeutic strategies an area of growing interest. Nanoparticles have emerged as a powerful tool for drug delivery with high targetability, stability, and targeted release. Further, artificial intelligence offers a transformative approach by accelerating nanoparticle design, optimizing microbial therapy formulations, predicting treatment responses, and personalizing interventions based on patient-specific microbiota compositions. Herein, we give an overview of important liver diseases, key nanocarrier types, and the approaches wherein nanocarriers have been integrated to modulate gut microbiota for the therapy of CLDs. We also describe future directions and the challenges, which need to be overcome for wide scale application and tailored use of gut microbiome-focused nano-drug delivery carriers for the therapy of CLDs. Despite current hurdles, the integration of nanotechnology, microbiome therapeutics, and artificial intelligence-driven precision medicine holds immense promise for reshaping the treatment landscape of CLDs.

Keywords: Nanomedicine; Chronic liver diseases; Gut microbiome; Microbial metabolites; Precision medicine

Core Tip: Chronic liver diseases are driven by metabolic, immune, and microbiome dysregulation. In this review, we detail recent advances in nanomedicine that enable tailored modulation of the gut microbiota, which can improve chronic liver diseases. Nanoparticles increase pharmacological effects and can reduce off-target effects. Further, artificial intelligence and machine learning can aid in production of precision nanomedicine.