Probiotic Yogurt May Help Reverse Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy
(Reuters) Aug 11 - In cirrhotic patients, minimal hepatic
encephalopathy may be ameliorated with probiotic yogurt
supplementation, results of a study published in the July issue of the
American Journal of Gastroenterology indicate.
"Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE), the preclinical stage of overt
hepatic encephalopathy (OHE), is a significant condition affecting up
to 60% of cirrhotics," write Dr. Jasmohan S. Bajaj and colleagues from
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. "All MHE therapies modify gut
microflora, but consensus regarding MHE treatment and long-term
adherence studies is lacking."
In a prospective, randomized study, the researchers examined the
effect of a probiotic yogurt on reversal of MHE and adherence in
nonalcoholic cirrhotic patients. The subjects were randomly assigned
to receive probiotic yogurt or no treatment for 60 days.
A total of 25 patients were enrolled in the study (17 yogurt, 8 no
treatment). The researchers re****t that 12 yogurt patients (71%) and
zero no-treatment patients (0%) reversed MHE (p =3D 0.0030, intention-to-
treat).
Development of OHE was observed in 25% of patients in the no-treatment
group and 0% of those in the yogurt group.
"The mechanism of probiotic action is believed to be related to
substrate deprivation for potentially pathogenic bacteria and the
provision of fermentation end products as a substrate for potentially
beneficial ones," Dr. Bajaj and colleagues explain.
Overall, 88% of subjects in the yogurt group were adherent. No adverse
effects were observed. All of the patients who completed the yogurt
arm during the study were agreeable to continue yogurt if the study
was extended for 6 more months.
Am J Gastroenterol 2008;103:1707-1715.
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