Rifaximin Improves Liver Functional Reserve by Regulating Systemic Inflammation.

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Gastroenterology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a complication of cirrhosis.
• Rifaximin is effective for HE, but its impact on liver function is unclear.
• Inflammation plays a role in cirrhosis and HE.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate rifaximin's effect on liver functional reserve in cirrhosis patients.
• To assess changes in serological inflammation markers with rifaximin treatment.
• To explore correlations between inflammation markers and liver function.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of cirrhosis patients receiving rifaximin for >3 months.
• Evaluated HE recurrence/grade, ammonia, Child-Pugh score (CPS).
• Assessed inflammation markers: NLR, LMR, PLR, CRP, CAR.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in HE grades, ammonia, and inflammation markers at 3 months.
• Improved albumin correlated with higher CRP improvement.
• Improved CAR at 3 months predicted better CPS at 12 months.

Conclusions:

• Rifaximin improves liver functional reserve in cirrhosis patients.
• Inflammation marker improvements, especially CRP and albumin, are linked to enhanced liver function.
• Rifaximin may benefit liver function through anti-inflammatory effects.