Clostridioides difficile infection induces a pro-inflammatory and pro-steatotic metabolic state in liver

Using a multi-omics approach, this study investigated Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) as a direct contributor to hepatic dysmetabolism. Fifty-four C57BL/6 mice were divided into Control, Antibiotic control (Abx), and C. difficile-infected (C. diff) groups. The Abx and C. diff groups received antibiotics to induce gut dysbiosis, followed by C. difficile challenge in C. diff group. Mice were euthanized after 48 h to collect samples for multi-omics analyses. Liver metabolomics and transcriptomics pathway analyses revealed significant alterations in lipid metabolism, including dysregulation in glycerolipid, steroid, and energy metabolisms in C. difficile-infected mice. Metabolites and pathways associated with oxidative stress and inflammation were enriched. Gut metagenome-liver metabolome correlation analysis identified specific bacterial species correlating with differentially enriched liver metabolites involved in oxidative stress, amino acid, and uric acid metabolism. CDI triggers metabolic shifts that could facilitate steatosis and inflammation, suggesting that CDI could be a risk factor for metabolic liver diseases.