Efficacy of Rifaximin on Hepatosteatosis and Steatohepatitis Patients

Non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common cause of chronic liver disease, it encompasses from simple steatosis to non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and, eventually leads to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Dysbiosis, over nutrition, life style, type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome are main causes in the disease progression. Research on the role of gut-liver axis in the pathogenesis of NAFLD has been slowly accumulating over the past few years. Endotoxemia resulting from intestinal bacterial overgrowth may contribute to the pathogenesis of NAFLD. So, intestinal microbiota (IM) serve as a potential therapeutic target in NASH. In this regard, we have aimed to test the efficacy of rifaximin against simple steatosis (NAFLD) and steatohepatitis (NASH) subjects in relation to serum endotoxins and related pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. We hypothesis that Rifaximin treatment may influence the endotoxin levels by modulating gut microbiota and partial alleviate from NAFLD/NASH.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Fatty Liver Digestive System Diseases Liver Diseases Steatohepatitis

Age range

18 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Bezmialem Vakif University

Istanbul, 34093, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Study area:

This prospective study conducted from July 2013 to March 2014 at Bezmialem Vakif University School of Medicine in the Department of Gastroenterology.

Subjects and methods:

Patients between the ages of 18-70, irrespective of gender referred to the gastroenterology clinics for persistently elevated liver enzymes, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and clinical suspicion of NAFLD selected for this study. During the initial visit, patients are invited to participate in this study. After providing written informed consent, these patients received a detailed medical history, physical examination, Age, sex, BMI, waist circumference and appropriate laboratory tests will be made. Ultrasonography (US) examination takes place before biopsy.

Endotoxins and Pro-Inflammatory cytokine assays:

These assays are going to perform by using following ELISA kits. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 obtained from EBIOSCİENCE company. LAL chromogenic end point assay kit obtained from HYCULT company and toll like receptor (TLR)-4 assay kit obtained from USCN company.

Statistical Analysis:

Statistical calculations 'Statistical Package for Social Sciences' (SPSS) software package for Windows 16 computer program was used. Descriptive statistics when numeric data as mean ± standard deviation, proportional data were used as the number and percentage rates. Independent samples t-test to compare the groups, and the chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis. P <0.05 will be considered as the limit of statistical significance.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Patients between the ages of 18-70, irrespective of gender referred to the gastroenterology clinics for persistently elevated liver enzymes, obesity, T2DM (Type 2 diabetes mellitus) and clinical suspicion of NAFLD selected for this study

Exclusion criteria

Allergy for Rifaximin, pregnant women and lactating women, other liver diseases such as viral hepatitis, autoimmune liver diseases, drug induced liver diseases, pancreas-biliary tract and liver-related documented diseases (pancreatitis, stone pouch on the biliary colic pains, acute cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, hepatobiliary cancers etc.,). Hit-defined psychiatric illness, excessive alcohol intake (who consume >20g/day ) were excluded from this study.

Treatment and study plan

Rifaximin

Drug

Both arms receive Rifaximin

Other names: Colidur 200 mg tablets

Primary outcomes

Drop in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines

Time frame: 1 month

Rifaximin treatment to both patient groups at the dose of 1200 mg/daily for 28 days. Blood samples obtain from all patients at 0 day, 14th day, 28th day and 60th day and collect serum for the analysis of the endotoxins and pro-inflammatory cytokines -TLR-4, TNF-α, IL-1 α, IL-6, IL-10 & IL-12 levels.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Bezmialem Vakif University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Efficacy of Antibiotic Rifaximin on the Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and Related Cytokine Levels in Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients

Important dates

Study start: 2013
Primary completion: 2014
Study completion: 2014
First posted: Dec 12, 2013
Registry last updated: May 16, 2014

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed