Rifaximin in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: an open-label pilot study

Cobbold, Jeremy F.L., Atkinson, Stephen, Marchesi, Julian Roberto ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7994-5239, Smith, Ann, Wai, Sann N., Stove, Julie, Shojaee-Moradie, Fariba, Jackson, Nicola, Umpleby, A. Margot, Fitzpatrick, Julie, Thomas, E. Louise, Bell, Jimmy D., Holmes, Elaine, Taylor-Robinson, Simon D., Goldin, Robert D., Yee, Michael S., Anstee, Quentin M. and Thursz, Mark R. 2018. Rifaximin in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: an open-label pilot study. Hepatology Research 48 (1) , pp. 69-77. 10.1111/hepr.12904

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Abstract

Aim Gut microbial dysbiosis is implicated in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We investigated downstream effects of gut microbiota modulation on markers of hepatic inflammation, steatosis, and hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity in patients with NASH using rifaximin therapy. Methods Patients with biopsy-proven NASH and elevated aminotransferase values were included in this open-label pilot study, all receiving 6 weeks rifaximin 400 mg twice daily, followed by a 6-week observation period. The primary endpoint was change in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) after 6 weeks of rifaximin. Secondary endpoints were change in hepatic lipid content and insulin sensitivity measured with a hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamp. Results Fifteen patients (13 men and 2 women) with a median (range) age of 46 (32–63) years were included. Seven had diabetes on oral hypoglycemic medications and 8 had no diabetes. After 6 weeks of therapy, no differences were seen in ALT (55 [33–191] vs. 63 [41–218] IU/L, P = 0.41), peripheral glucose uptake (28.9 [19.4–48.3] to 25.5 [17.7–47.9] μmol/kg/min, P = 0.30), hepatic insulin sensitivity (35.2 [15.3–51.7]% vs. 30.0 [10.8–50.5]%, P = 0.47), or hepatic lipid content (21.6 [2.2–46.2]% vs. 24.8 [1.7–59.3]%, P = 0.59) before and after rifaximin treatment. After 12 weeks from baseline, serum ALT increased to 83 (30–217) IU/L, P = 0.02. There was a significant increase in the homeostasis model assessment–estimated insulin resistance index (P = 0.05). The urinary metabolic profile indicated a significant reduction in urinary hippurate with treatment, which reverted to baseline after cessation of rifaximin, although there was no consistent difference in relative abundance of fecal microbiota with treatment. Conclusion These data do not indicate a beneficial effect of rifaximin in patients with NASH.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Biosciences
Uncontrolled Keywords:	antibiotic; hippurate; insulin resistance; microbiota; NAFLD; non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Publisher:	Wiley / Elsevier
ISSN:	1386-6346
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	5 July 2017
Date of Acceptance:	8 April 2017
Last Modified:	01 Dec 2024 14:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/102048

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