Subgroup analysis suggested the existence of liver disease at baseline , synbiotics supplementation and duration of supplementation ≥ 8 weeks result ed in more pronounced improvement in liver function enzymes than their counterparts .
Conclusions Probiotics and synbiotics may be suggested as supplements to improve serum concentration of liver enzymes , especially when synbiotics administered for a period ≥ 8 weeks and in individuals with liver disease
Purpose The gut – liver interaction suggests that modification of gut bacterial flora using probiotics and synbiotics may improve liver function .
This systematic review and meta- analysis aim ed to clarify the effect of probiotics and synbiotics consumption on the serum concentration of liver function enzymes .
Probiotics for patients with compensated liver cirrhosis: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.
BACKGROUND Gut flora is related to the major complications of liver cirrhosis including hepatic encephalopathy , spontaneous bacterial peritonitis , and variceal bleeding . Prior studies have reported a beneficial effect of gut flora modification with probiotic bacteria in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy . We aim ed to study the effect of probiotics on clinical and laboratory parameters of patients with compensated cirrhosis . METHODS A double-blind placebo-controlled study that included patients with liver cirrhosis and at least one major complication of cirrhosis in the past , clinical evidence of portal hypertension , or decreased hepatic synthetic function . Participants were r and omly assigned to receive probiotic capsules containing Lactobacillus acidophilus , Lactobacillus bulgaricus , Bifidobacterium lactis , and Streptococcus thermophiles or placebo for a period of 6 mo . RESULTS A total of 36 patients were available for final analysis ( distributed equally between the probiotic and placebo groups ) . The administration of probiotics was not associated with significant differences in either clinical or laboratory parameters between the two groups . Because the lack of a beneficial effect may be related to the compensated liver disease of patients , we conducted a sub analysis of patients with baseline ammonia levels > 50 mmol/L. In this subgroup , the administration of probiotics appeared to significantly reduce the ammonia levels starting after 1 mo of treatment . However , this effect diminished and lost its significance following comparison to the placebo group . CONCLUSIONS Our study did not show a significant beneficial effect of probiotic supplementation in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis . Nevertheless , it points toward a possible positive effect of probiotics in patients with above normal baseline ammonia levels . This issue requires further investigation in larger cohorts
Subgroup analysis suggested the existence of liver disease at baseline , synbiotics supplementation and duration of supplementation ≥ 8 weeks result ed in more pronounced improvement in liver function enzymes than their counterparts .
Conclusions Probiotics and synbiotics may be suggested as supplements to improve serum concentration of liver enzymes , especially when synbiotics administered for a period ≥ 8 weeks and in individuals with liver disease
Purpose The gut – liver interaction suggests that modification of gut bacterial flora using probiotics and synbiotics may improve liver function .
This systematic review and meta- analysis aim ed to clarify the effect of probiotics and synbiotics consumption on the serum concentration of liver function enzymes .