The Endodontic–Gut–Liver Axis: A Scoping Review of Apical Periodontitis and MASLD-Relevant Changes
Year: 2026
Type: study-registration
Abstract: This scoping review maps and conceptually synthesises human and experimental evidence linking apical periodontitis (AP) with intestinal perturbations and MASLD-relevant hepatic alterations. The review examines evidence for changes in gut microbial ecology, microbial metabolites, intestinal barrier integrity, hepatic inflammatory and molecular responses, steatosis and fibrogenesis, and evaluates the extent to which the available evidence supports gut-independent, putative gut-mediated and immunometabolic pathways. Particular attention is given to the influence of pre-existing metabolic or hepatic susceptibility and to components of the proposed endodontic–gut–liver axis that remain unsupported or experimentally untested. The review follows Joanna Briggs Institute guidance for scoping reviews and is reported according to PRISMA-ScR.
Source: Open Science Framework
Authors: Ahmet Kerem Eren, Ekin Deniz Çatmabacak
Language: English
Topic: Gut microbiota and health
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225720708