Abstract: In order to characterize the gut microbiota of patients with cirrhosis and reveal the association between gut microbiota and biochemical indicators, gut microbiota and biochemical indicators of 12 cirrhosis patients (CIR group) and 11 healthy volunteers (control, CN group) were analyzed. Compared with that of the CN group, the levels of INR, GGT, TBA and TBIL in the CIR group increased significantly, while the levels of ALB and WBC decreased significantly. Gut microbiota analysis indicated that the abundance of genus Prevotella and Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 increased significantly, while genus Blautia, Subdoligranulum and Ruminococcus 2 decreased significantly in the CIR group. At the species level, the abundance of Prevostella 9 and Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 increased significantly, while Ruminococcus sp. 5 1 39BFAA decreased significantly in the CIR group. The correlation analysis between biochemical indexes and intestinal flora showed that the abundance of Prevotella 9 genus had significantly positive correlation with INR, TBA and GGT levels, and negative correlation with ALB level. The abundance of Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 genus was positively correlated with INR and GGT levels. The abundance of Blautia genus demonstrated significantly positive association with ALB level, and negative association with INR, TBA, TBIL and GGT levels. The abundance of Subdoligranulum and Ruminococcus 2 genera exhibited significantly positive correlation with WBC level and negative correlation with TBA and INR levels. At the species level, the abundance of Ruminococcus sp.5 1 39BFAA showed significantly positive correlation with ALB level, and significantly negative correlation with INR, TBA, TBIL and GGT levels. In summary, cirrhosis led to abnormal biochemical indexes of liver and imbalance of intestinal flora. Prevotella genus, Blautia genus, Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 genus, Subdoligranulum genus and Ruminococcus sp.5 1 39BFAA in patients with cirrhosis were significantly different from the healthy group, and these bacteria were related to liver damage. The discovery of these characteristic bacteria and their relationship with biochemical indexes were expected to provide potential targets for precise treatment of cirrhosis.

Key words: cirrhosis, gut microbiota, biochemical indicators, liver damage