Bifidobacterium longum promotes postoperative liver function recovery in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Timely liver function recovery (LFR) is crucial for postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Here, we established the significance of LFR on patient long-term survival through retrospective and prospective cohorts and identified a key gut microbe, Bifidobacterium longum , depleted in patients with delayed recovery. Fecal microbiota transfer from HCC patients with delayed recovery to mice similarly impacted recovery time post hepatectomy. However, oral gavage of B. longum improved liver function and repair in these mice. In a clinical trial of HCC patients, orally administering a probiotic bacteria cocktail containing B. longum reduced the rates of delayed recovery, shortened hospital stays, and improved overall 1-year survival. These benefits, attributed to diminished liver inflammation, reduced liver fibrosis, and hepatocyte proliferation, were associated with changes in key metabolic pathways, including 5-hydroxytryptamine, secondary bile acids, and short-chain fatty acids. Our findings propose that gut microbiota modulation can enhance LFR, thereby improving postoperative outcomes for HCC patients. [Display omitted] • Postoperative liver function recovery is a key prognostic factor for HCC patients • Normal liver function recovery in HCC patients is associated with fecal B. longum • Administering B. longum to HCC patients promotes postoperative liver function recovery • B. longum improves liver function by modulating gut microbiota and metabolites Yu et al. report that Bifidobacterium longum can mitigate liver inflammation and fibrosis by modulating the gut microbiota and metabolites. Orally administering B. longum to HCC patients during the perioperative period promotes postoperative liver function recovery, boosts 1-year survival, and shortens hospital stays, offering a promising intervention for HCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]