Chronic ethanol consumption disrupts intestinal microbiota and mucosal gene expression

The intestines primarily function in digesting food, absorbing nutrients, and providing a defense barrier. Intestinal epithelial cells, gut-resident immune cells, as well as the microbiome regulate gut homeostasis. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) disrupts the mucosal barrier, resulting in increased intestinal permeability, nutrient malabsorption, and increased risk of colorectal cancer. Our understanding of the mechanisms underlying these changes remains limited because most of the studies to date have relied on short-term heavy/binge drinking rodent models and specimens collected from AUD subjects with advanced liver disease.
Source: Alcohol - Category: Addiction Authors: Source Type: research