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  • Title: Rifaximin in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: hit multiple targets with a single shot.
    Author: Abdel-Razik A, Mousa N, Shabana W, Refaey M, Elzehery R, Elhelaly R, Zalata K, Abdelsalam M, Eldeeb AA, Awad M, Elgamal A, Attia A, El-Wakeel N, Eldars W.
    Journal: Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol; 2018 Oct; 30(10):1237-1246. PubMed ID: 30096092.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND/AIMS: The pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may include increased insulin resistance, upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, lipopolysaccharide, and BMI. Rifaximin is a minimally absorbable antibiotic that might act against a broad spectrum of gut bacteria. This study aimed to investigate the effects of rifaximin on NAFLD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty participants with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) were registered in this multicentric, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. BMI, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase, lipid profile, serum endotoxin, homeostatic model assessment, toll-like receptor-4, interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) levels were evaluated at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months of rifaximin therapy (1100 mg/day). RESULTS: Patients were randomized into two groups (rifaximin group; n=25 and placebo group; n=25). After 6 months of rifaximin therapy, patients with NASH showed a significant reduction in homeostatic model assessment, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase, endotoxin, toll-like receptor-4, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, CK-18, and NAFLD-liver fat score (all P<0.05), but no changes in the lipid profile; moreover, there was a mild nonstatistically significant reduction of BMI. However, in the placebo group, there was no significant difference in these variables at baseline and after therapy. CONCLUSION: Rifaximin therapy appears to be effective and safe in modifying NASH through reduction of serum endotoxin and improvement of insulin resistance, proinflammatory cytokines, CK-18, and NAFLD-liver fat score.
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