Fecal Microbiota Transplant as Treatment of Hepatic Encephalopathy
One complication seen in liver disease is a condition called hepatic encephalopathy (HE), where toxins can build up in your bloodstream and affect your brain, leading to confusion, difficulty, erratic behavior, personality changes, and disorientation. Normally your liver will filter out these toxins, but in cases of liver disfunction, this may not occur sufficiently, and you get the HE condition. [1]
There are expensive drugs like Xifaxan, an antibiotic that slows the growth of gut bacteria, that can help with this condition. [3]
However, since an abnormal population of bacteria in the intestines may be causing this condition, then transplanting bacteria from the colon of a healthy person may make sense. This is sometimes called a fecal matter transplant (FMT).
This FMT treatment is not just speculation, but has helped people, and is in clinical trials today. Here is one that you can look up on clinicaltrials.gov.
ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03420482
The can be a life-threatening condition, without treatment.
Here is an excerpt from the clinical trial:
“The current treatment options cause side effects, are costly, and do not always work. An abnormal population of bacteria in the intestines may be causing this condition, and transplanting bacteria from the colon of a healthy person may treat it. In this research study, the investigators will first find two healthy stool donors whose stool donation improves the gut bacteria of patients with advanced liver disease and helps them think more clearly. Then, in a randomized controlled trial, the investigators will compare the ability of stool donation from these two best donors versus a placebo to improve the neurological function of patients with advanced liver disease. If the investigators find the expected results, there will be a new effective therapy for patients with advanced liver disease and the very troublesome complication of hepatic encephalopathy.” [2]
References:
[1] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21220-hepatic-encephalopathy
[2] https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03420482?cond=liver&term=engraftment%20%20stem&rank=4
[3] https://www.drugs.com/xifaxan.html
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. Nor do I play one on TV. The information on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment. The author of this blog is not a licensed medical professional and does not claim to be an expert in any field of medicine.
The gold standard of treatment these days for HE is Xifaxan. It’s a drug (a non-accumulative antibiotic) that changes the gut biome daily. I use this at 550 mgs twice a day plus I had breakthrough HE, so I did the FMT. The FMT improved my ability to eat and to gain weight and gave me energy. I may repeat it after the rap.