Bifco Improves Intestinal Macromolecular Permeability In Patients With Liver Cirrhosis

AIM:To evaluate the feature of the intestinal mucosal barrier in patients with liver cirrhosis and the effects of Bifico (live Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus, oral capsules) on them.METHODS:Thirty-four patients with portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh grade B) were randomly divided into two groups:patients receiving only routine symptomatic treatment (routine treatment group) and those receiving both routine symptomatic treatment and oral Bifico capsules 420 mg, three times daily for 2 weeks (Bifco treatment group).A normal control group was composed of 12 healthy individuals. Plasma diamine oxidase (DAO) and endotoxin (ETX) were detected before and after the therapy.RESULTS:Plasma DAO and ETX levels were significantly higher (0.2502±0.0969 kU/L and 0.2263±0.1145 kU/L vs 0.1145±0.0680 kU/L;and 0.3801±0.1929 EU/mL and 0.3283±0.1251 EU/mL vs 0.2338±0.0843 EU/mL, respectively; all P<0.05 or 0.01)in patients with liver cirrhosis (the two treatment groups) than in healthy individuals (the normal control group). A linear correlation was noted in plasma ETX level and plasma DAO level (r=0.800, P<0.01).Compared with pre-treated patients, both plasma DAO and ETX levels signifcantly decreased in Bifco-treated patients (0.1635±0.0592 kU/L vs 0.2502±0.0969 kU/L,0.2445±0.1219 EU/mL vs 0.3801±0.1929 EU/mL, P<0.05).No signifcant differences were noted in plasma DAO and ETX levels in the routine treatment group between before and after therapy.CONCLUSION:Plasma DAO and ETX are sensitive markers for measuring intestinal barrier function in patients with liver cirrhosis. Bifco can improve intestinal barrier function in patients with portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis.