Efficacy of Rifaximin on Hepatosteatosis and Steatohepatitis Patients

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Fatty Liver; Steatohepatitis
• Interventions: Drug: Rifaximin

• Registration Number: NCT02009592
• Lead Sponsor: Bezmialem Vakif University

Brief Summary

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.

Detailed Description

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.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2013-06
• Study First Submitted: 2013-11-28
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-12-09
• Study First Posted: 2013-12-12
• Primary Completion: 2014-01
• Study Completion: 2014-02
• Status Verified: 2014-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-05-15
• Last Update Posted: 2014-05-16

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 42

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.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Hepatosteatosis	Rifaximin	Rifaximin was given to patients with hepatosteatosis in the doses of 3x2 daily, 200 mg tablets for 4 weeks.
Steatohepatitis	Rifaximin	Rifaximin was given to patients with steatohepatitis patients in the doses of 3x2 daily, 200 mg tablets for 4 weeks.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Drop in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines	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.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Bezmialem Vakif University; 🇹🇷 Istanbul, Turkey