Effects of probiotic therapy on portal pressure in patients with cirrhosis: a pilot study.
Liver Int
; 29(7): 1110-5, 2009 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19490420
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Recent literature has supported the role of bacterial translocation as a mediator of splanchnic vasodilatation and portal hypertension. The objective of this study was to determine whether the probiotic VSL#3 would reduce portal pressure in patients with cirrhosis.METHODS:
Eight patients with compensated or very early decompensated cirrhosis and hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) >10 mmHg, received 2 months of VSL#3 (3600 billion bacteria daily). The HVPG, intestinal permeability, endotoxin, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, renin and aldosterone were measured at baseline and study end.RESULTS:
There was no change in the HVPG or intestinal permeability from baseline to study end but there was a trend to reduction in plasma endotoxin (P=0.09), a mild but significant increase in serum TNF-alpha (P=0.02) and a significant reduction in plasma aldosterone (P=0.03).CONCLUSIONS:
Within the limitations of small sample size, there does not appear to be a benefit of probiotic therapy for portal pressure reduction in patients with compensated or early decompensated cirrhosis. The reductions in endotoxin and aldosterone suggest possible beneficial effects of probiotics for this patient population. The clinical significance of the small but unexpected increase in TNF-alpha is unclear. Future studies are planned in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Pressão na Veia Porta
/
Probióticos
/
Hipertensão Portal
/
Intestinos
/
Cirrose Hepática
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
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Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Liver Int
Assunto da revista:
GASTROENTEROLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2009
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Canadá