NCT02335632

Effect of Probiotics on Gut-Liver Axis of Alcoholic Hepatitis

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: Phase 4
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 140 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Background/Aims: The investigators explored the therapeutic effects of probiotics in patients with AH. Methods: Between December 2012 and January 2015, the investigators conducted a 7-day, double-controlled, randomized, prospective clinical trial comparing the efficacy of probiotics in improving liver enzymes, LPS, pro-inflammatory cytokines, stool culture, and stool Polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. AH was defined as an aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \> 2 and elevated AST (ALT) level with an alcohol consumption history within 48 hours. Patients were randomized to receive 7 days of cultured Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011/acidophilus R0052 (120 mg/day) or placebo. The levels of liver enzymes, modified Discriminant Function (mDF), LPS, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, stool culture, and stool Polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis were checked at baseline and again after therapy.

Detailed description

Background/Aims: Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is one of the leading causes of liver diseases. Gut-derived microbial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been known as a central role in the pathogenesis of AH. Some animal studies suggested an emerging role of probiotics in restoration of the bowel flora and improving liver enzymes. We explored the therapeutic effects of probiotics in patients with AH. Methods: Between December 2012 and January 2015, the investigators conducted a 7-day, double-controlled, randomized, prospective clinical trial comparing the efficacy of probiotics in improving liver enzymes, LPS, pro-inflammatory cytokines, stool culture, and stool Polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. AH was defined as an aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \> 2 and elevated AST (ALT) level with an alcohol consumption history within 48 hours. Patients were randomized to receive 7 days of cultured Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011/acidophilus R0052 (120 mg/day) or placebo. The levels of liver enzymes, modified Discriminant Function (mDF), LPS, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, stool culture, and stool Polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis were checked at baseline and again after therapy.

Conditions

• Alcoholic Liver Disease

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Probiotics (Lacidofil®)	7 days of cultured Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011/acidophilus R0052 (120 mg/day)
DRUG	Placebo	For probiotics

Timeline

• Start date: 2012-12-01
• Primary completion: 2015-02-01
• Completion: 2015-02-01
• First posted: 2015-01-12
• Last updated: 2015-01-28