Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Investigating the Alleviating Effects of Bacillus cereus Administration on Colitis through Gut Microbiota Modulation
08:34

Investigating the Alleviating Effects of Bacillus cereus Administration on Colitis through Gut Microbiota Modulation

Published on: July 27, 2022

Synbiotic modulation of gut flora: effect on minimal hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis

Qing Liu1, Zhong Ping Duan, Da Kang Ha

  • 1Artificial Liver Treatment and Training Center, Beijing Youan Hospital and Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.)
|May 4, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Synbiotics and fermentable fiber effectively manage minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in cirrhosis patients. These treatments improve gut health, reduce ammonia, and reverse MHE symptoms, offering alternatives to lactulose.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Hepatology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) significantly impacts daily functioning and quality of life in cirrhosis patients.
  • Current MHE management primarily relies on lactulose, with limited exploration of other therapeutic avenues.
  • Gut microecology derangements are implicated in MHE pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the efficacy of synbiotics and fermentable fiber in managing MHE in cirrhotic patients.
  • To investigate the impact of synbiotics on gut microecology and its correlation with MHE improvement.
  • To compare synbiotics and fermentable fiber as alternatives to lactulose for MHE treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Screened 97 cirrhotic patients for MHE using neuropsychological tests and brainstem auditory evoked potentials.
  • Randomized 55 MHE patients to synbiotics, fermentable fiber, or placebo for 30 days.
  • Analyzed fecal microecology, blood ammonia levels, endotoxemia, and Child-Turcotte-Pugh scores.

Main Results:

  • MHE was diagnosed in 60% of screened patients, exhibiting gut dysbiosis with pathogenic bacteria overgrowth.
  • Synbiotic treatment normalized gut flora, significantly reduced blood ammonia and endotoxemia, and reversed MHE in 50% of patients.
  • Fermentable fiber alone also showed significant benefits, with nearly 50% of patients showing improved Child-Turcotte-Pugh scores.

Conclusions:

  • Synbiotics and fermentable fiber represent viable alternatives to lactulose for MHE management in cirrhosis.
  • Modulating gut microbiota with synbiotics offers a promising therapeutic strategy for MHE.
  • Targeting gut dysbiosis is crucial for improving liver function and neurological status in MHE patients.

More Related Videos

An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota07:15

An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota

Published on: July 31, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
Hepatic Encephalopathy01:29

Hepatic Encephalopathy

DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic shunting—including...
Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota

The human gut microbiome includes a diverse array of microbial species, including beneficial commensals and opportunistic pathogens, which interact to support host health. These microbes contribute to essential functions such as nutrient metabolism, immune system modulation, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. However, disruptions to this equilibrium—referred to as dysbiosis—can have widespread physiological consequences.Dysbiosis is often characterized by reduced microbial...
Gut-Brain Axis01:22

Gut-Brain Axis

The gut–brain axis is a bidirectional communication system that connects the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This interaction is mediated through multiple pathways, including the vagus nerve, hormonal signals, immune responses, and chemical messengers produced by gut microbes.Microbial Contributions to Brain FunctionGut microbiota contributes significantly to brain function by producing neuroactive compounds. These include neuroactive compounds that influence neurotransmitters such as...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment01:08

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment

Hepatic impairment, characterized by decreased liver function, does not uniformly mandate adjustments in drug dosage. Whether dosage modifications are necessary depends on various factors related to the drug's metabolism and elimination pathways. If a drug is primarily excreted via the kidneys and bypasses significant hepatic processing, if it undergoes minimal metabolic transformation in the liver, or if it is volatile and primarily expelled through the lungs, dose adjustments may not be...