Prospects of germ-free animals in the study of gut?liver axis / 中国实验动物学报

Intestine and liver have very closely relationship due to the gut-liver axis, intestinal disease can affect the liver function, and the liver disease may also induce intestinal disorders. The germ?free animals have no living bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites. The appearance of germ?free animals provides a powerful experimental tool for studying the in?teraction between the host and the intestinal microorganisms. At the same time, due to the characteristics of lacking normal intestinal flora, germ?free animals play a great role in promoting the study of gut?liver axis. In this paper, we will briefly re?view the application prospects of germ?free animals in the research of gut?liver axis.