Open Access

Effect of different treatments and alcohol addiction on gut microbiota in minimal hepatic encephalopathy patients

  • Authors:
    • Zan Zuo
    • Hong Fan
    • Xiao‑Dan Tang
    • Yan‑Min Chen
    • Lin‑Ting Xun
    • Yan Li
    • Zheng‑Ji Song
    • Hui‑Qiong Zhai
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: September 19, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2017.5141
  • Pages: 4887-4895
  • Copyright: © Zuo et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is caused by dysbiosis of gut microbiota, particularly the ammonia‑producing bacteria. Given the efficacy of certain treatments on MHE and the connection between alcoholism and MHE, a thorough understanding of how these strategies affect the gut microbiota in patients (alcoholic or non‑alcoholic) will facilitate the assessment of their efficacy in the reshaping of gut microbiota. In the present study, a metagenomics approach was adopted to reveal alterations in gut microbiota of 14 MHE patients following treatment with rifaximin alone or rifaximin plus probiotics. Patients were grouped into the alcoholic and non‑alcoholic groups to examine differences in terms of their response to treatment. Treatment reduced the overall microbiota diversity and decreased the abundance of certain ammonia‑producing bacteria, such as Clostridium, with the treatment of rifaximin plus probiotics presenting a more apparent effect. Non‑alcoholic MHE patients responded better to the treatment, as they presented greater reduction in microbiota diversity and a more consistent decline in certain ammonia‑producing bacteria genera (such as Clostridium and Streptococcus) belonging to the Firmicutes phylum. In conclusion, treatment with rifaximin alone and rifaximin plus probiotics exhibited a different effect in different MHE patients, decreasing the overall gut microbiota diversity to various extents and reshaping microbiota in different ways. Furthermore, non‑alcoholic MHE patients responded better to treatment in microbiota alterations.
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November-2017
Volume 14 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Zuo Z, Fan H, Tang XD, Chen YM, Xun LT, Li Y, Song ZJ and Zhai HQ: Effect of different treatments and alcohol addiction on gut microbiota in minimal hepatic encephalopathy patients. Exp Ther Med 14: 4887-4895, 2017
APA
Zuo, Z., Fan, H., Tang, X., Chen, Y., Xun, L., Li, Y. ... Zhai, H. (2017). Effect of different treatments and alcohol addiction on gut microbiota in minimal hepatic encephalopathy patients. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 14, 4887-4895. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2017.5141
MLA
Zuo, Z., Fan, H., Tang, X., Chen, Y., Xun, L., Li, Y., Song, Z., Zhai, H."Effect of different treatments and alcohol addiction on gut microbiota in minimal hepatic encephalopathy patients". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 14.5 (2017): 4887-4895.
Chicago
Zuo, Z., Fan, H., Tang, X., Chen, Y., Xun, L., Li, Y., Song, Z., Zhai, H."Effect of different treatments and alcohol addiction on gut microbiota in minimal hepatic encephalopathy patients". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 14, no. 5 (2017): 4887-4895. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2017.5141