We have located links that may give you full text access.
Journal Article
Multicenter Study
Observational Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Lactulose reduces bacterial DNA translocation, which worsens neurocognitive shape in cirrhotic patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy.
Liver International : Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver 2017 Februrary
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy is associated with poor prognosis and mortality in patients with cirrhosis. We aimed at investigating whether bacterial-DNA translocation affects hyperammonaemia and neurocognitive scores in patients with mHE according to the use of lactulose.
METHODS: Observational study including 72 mHE cirrhotic patients, as defined by a psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES)<-4 and/or a critical flicker frequency (CFF)<39 Hz. Bacterial-DNA, serum ammonia, pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide levels were evaluated. A second cohort of 40 lactulose-untreated patients were evaluated before and 6-month after lactulose administration (30-60 mL/d).
RESULTS: In the first cohort, bacterial-DNA rate was significantly higher in patients without lactulose (39% vs 23%, P=.03). Serum ammonia and inflammatory markers were significantly increased in patients with bacterial-DNA, regardless the use of lactulose, and correlated with the amount of amplified bacterial-DNA. Neurocognitive scores were significantly worse in bacterial-DNA positive vs negative patients (PHES -7.6±1.1 vs -5.5±1.0; CFF 32.5±2.6 vs 36.2±2.8, P=.01). Lactulose was associated with improved neurocognitive scores in patients without bacterial-DNA. Serum ammonia levels inversely correlated with neurocognitive scores in patients with bacterial-DNA (PHES r=-.84; CFF r=-.72, P=.001). In the second cohort, lactulose reduced bacterial-DNA translocation (36%-16%, P=.02). Neurocognitive scores were significantly improved in bacterial-DNA positive patients who cleared bacterial-DNA during the period on lactulose. Serum ammonia levels correlated with both neurocognitive scores in patients with bacterial-DNA, either before or after lactulose.
CONCLUSION: Bacterial-DNA translocation worsens neurocognitive scores in mHE patients and it is reduced by lactulose, enhancing the relevance of controlling bacterial antigen translocation in these patients.
METHODS: Observational study including 72 mHE cirrhotic patients, as defined by a psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES)<-4 and/or a critical flicker frequency (CFF)<39 Hz. Bacterial-DNA, serum ammonia, pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide levels were evaluated. A second cohort of 40 lactulose-untreated patients were evaluated before and 6-month after lactulose administration (30-60 mL/d).
RESULTS: In the first cohort, bacterial-DNA rate was significantly higher in patients without lactulose (39% vs 23%, P=.03). Serum ammonia and inflammatory markers were significantly increased in patients with bacterial-DNA, regardless the use of lactulose, and correlated with the amount of amplified bacterial-DNA. Neurocognitive scores were significantly worse in bacterial-DNA positive vs negative patients (PHES -7.6±1.1 vs -5.5±1.0; CFF 32.5±2.6 vs 36.2±2.8, P=.01). Lactulose was associated with improved neurocognitive scores in patients without bacterial-DNA. Serum ammonia levels inversely correlated with neurocognitive scores in patients with bacterial-DNA (PHES r=-.84; CFF r=-.72, P=.001). In the second cohort, lactulose reduced bacterial-DNA translocation (36%-16%, P=.02). Neurocognitive scores were significantly improved in bacterial-DNA positive patients who cleared bacterial-DNA during the period on lactulose. Serum ammonia levels correlated with both neurocognitive scores in patients with bacterial-DNA, either before or after lactulose.
CONCLUSION: Bacterial-DNA translocation worsens neurocognitive scores in mHE patients and it is reduced by lactulose, enhancing the relevance of controlling bacterial antigen translocation in these patients.
Full text links
Related Resources
Trending Papers
The 'Ten Commandments' for the 2023 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the management of endocarditis.European Heart Journal 2024 April 18
Challenges in Septic Shock: From New Hemodynamics to Blood Purification Therapies.Journal of Personalized Medicine 2024 Februrary 4
A Guide to the Use of Vasopressors and Inotropes for Patients in Shock.Journal of Intensive Care Medicine 2024 April 14
Prevention and treatment of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke in people with diabetes mellitus: a focus on glucose control and comorbidities.Diabetologia 2024 April 17
Diagnosis and Management of Cardiac Sarcoidosis: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.Circulation 2024 April 19
Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Clinical Pearls for Primary Care Providers and Gastroenterologists.Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2024 April
Essential thrombocythaemia: A contemporary approach with new drugs on the horizon.British Journal of Haematology 2024 April 9
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app