Alteration of gut microbiota in acute pancreatitis and associated therapeutic strategies

Gut microbiome is considered as a crucial regulator of human health. Alteration of gut microbiome has been reported in acute pancreatitis (AP) and probably contributes to the severity of disease. Explore the precise role of gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of AP could offer new strategies to improve the clinical outcomes of AP. This review summarizes the role of gut microbiome in AP, lists possible mechanisms associated with it and offers an overview of current treatments based on gut microbiome. Dysbiosis of gut microbiota during AP destroys gut homeostasis and further worsens the disease. Restoring the balance of intestinal microbiome is a promising strategy for AP. • Gut flora alters in the process of acute pancreatitis. • Disruption of intestinal homeostasis aggravates acute pancreatitis. • Modulating gut microbiota is a promising treatment for acute pancreatitis.