HP and hepatocellular carcinoma: As shown in Figure 3A,B, the plasma concentrations of LPS (control: 10.6 ± 4.0 (EU/mL); LC: 14.1 ± 5.8 (EU/mL); HCC: 16.9 ± 6.5 (EU/mL)) and zonulin (control: 39.6 ± 5.7 (ng/mL); LC: 48.3 ± 7.4 (ng/mL); HCC: 51.8 ± 12.4 (ng/mL)) gradually increased in the LC and HCC cohorts.