Conclusion This meta- analysis supports the potential use of microbial therapies in the treatment of NAFLD and sheds light on their potential mode of action .
Context Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD ) is a highly prevalent and underdiagnosed comorbidity of many chronic diseases that is associated with altered intestinal bacterial communities .
This association has prompted research into alternative treatments aim ed at modulating intestinal microbiota .
Given the novelty of these treatments , scarce evidence regarding their effectiveness in clinical population s exists .
Objective This meta- analysis sought to systemically review and quantitatively synthesize evidence on prebiotic , probiotic , and synbiotic therapies for patients with NAFLD in r and omized controlled trials .
Bifidobacterium combined with fructo-oligosaccharide versus lactulose in the treatment of patients with hepatic encephalopathy
Background Hepatic encephalopathy ( HE ) is a reversible neuropsychiatric syndrome in patients with liver disease . It was suggested that Bifidobacterium+fructo-oligosaccharides ( FOS ) may decrease blood and brain ammonia levels . Aim The study was conducted to compare the efficacy of Bifidobacterium+FOS and lactulose in patients with HE . Methods One hundred and twenty-five patients ( 35 hepatitis B virus infected , 70 hepatitis C virus infected and 20 cryptogenetic cirrhosis ) were enrolled in the study . Patients were r and omized either to a treatment for 60 days with Bifidobacterium and FOS ( group A ) or into-group receiving lactulose ( group B ) in double-blind . Results After 30 days of the study period , the Bifidobacterium+FOS-treated patients compared with lactulose-treated patients showed a significant decrease of Trail Making Test B ( TMT B ) ( P<0.005 ) , and a significant increase of Symbol Digit Modalities Test ( P<0.001 ) and Block Design Test ( P<0.001 ) . After 60 days of the study period , the Bifidobacterium+FOS-treated patients compared with lactulose-treated patients showed a significant decrease of NH4 fasting HE1 ( P<0.001 ) , TMT A ( P<0.05 ) , TMT B ( P<0.001 ) , and a significant increase of Symbol Digit Modalities Test ( P<0.001 ) and Block Design Test ( P<0.001 ) . Conclusion The treatment with Bifidobacterium+FOS is an alternative to the use of lactulose in patients with cirrhosis , for its usefulness in reducing blood ammonia levels and improvement of psychometric tests
Conclusion This meta- analysis supports the potential use of microbial therapies in the treatment of NAFLD and sheds light on their potential mode of action .
Context Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD ) is a highly prevalent and underdiagnosed comorbidity of many chronic diseases that is associated with altered intestinal bacterial communities .
This association has prompted research into alternative treatments aim ed at modulating intestinal microbiota .
Given the novelty of these treatments , scarce evidence regarding their effectiveness in clinical population s exists .
Objective This meta- analysis sought to systemically review and quantitatively synthesize evidence on prebiotic , probiotic , and synbiotic therapies for patients with NAFLD in r and omized controlled trials .