Influence of Probiotics on Infections in Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis is the 10th most common cause of death in the western world. Infection is the most common precipitant of deterioration of liver function in cirrhosis. Endotoxin, derived from gram-negative organisms in the gut, can enter the circulation due to increased gut permeability and contributes to neutrophil dysfunction, infection risk and mortality in alcoholic cirrhotics. As probiotics decrease gram-negative organisms in the gut and/or decrease gut permeability, the investigators hypothesize that probiotic treatment would restore neutrophil function and prevent infection in alcoholic cirrhosis.

The investigators hypothesize that administration of a probiotic mixture in patients with liver cirrhosis will improve innate immune function through alteration of the gut bacterial flora and gut barrier integrity.

The aim of this randomised, double-blinded placebo-controlled study is to assess whether food supplementation with probiotic mixture improves neutrophil phagocytic capacity in patients with cirrhosis and decreases the incidence of significant infections.

92 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis will be included according to a sample size calculation from preliminary data. Patients will be randomized in two groups: Group 1 receives a probiotic mixture Group 2 receives a similar looking and tasting placebo without bacteria. The recruited patients will be treated for 6 months. Besides routine clinical and laboratory assessments, neutrophil function, toll-like receptor expression, endotoxin levels, bacterial DNA, cytokine levels, albumin oxidation, gut permeability and analysis of gut microflora will be performed. Furthermore nutritional status and quality of life will be assessed.

Primary endpoints will be neutrophil phagocytosis. Secondary endpoints will be significant infection, neutrophil oxidative burst, neutrophil toll-like receptor expression, endotoxin levels, bacterial DNA; cytokine levels, albumin oxidation, gut barrier function and bacterial flora, nutritional status and quality of life.

If our hypothesis holds true, probiotics will provide an easily applicable and cost effective method to improve immune function and to prevent infection in liver cirrhosis. It is possible that this can improve survival of patients with liver cirrhosis.