Enterococcus Lactic Acid Bacteria Strain SF68 and Lactulose in Hepatic Encephalopathy: A Controlled Study

• Published in: Journal of international medical research Vol. 15; no. 6; pp. 335 - 343
• Main Authors: Loguercio, C., Blanco, C. Del Vecchio, Coltorti, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.11.1987; Cambridge Medical Publications
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Ammonia - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Capsules; Clinical Trials as Topic; Dietary Proteins - administration & dosage; Disaccharides - therapeutic use; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Hepatic Encephalopathy - blood; Hepatic Encephalopathy - drug therapy; Hepatic Encephalopathy - physiopathology; Hepatic Encephalopathy - psychology; Hepatic Encephalopathy - therapy; Humans; Lactobacillus acidophilus; Lactulose - administration & dosage; Lactulose - adverse effects; Lactulose - therapeutic use; Liver Cirrhosis - blood; Liver Cirrhosis - complications; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Other diseases. Semiology; Random Allocation; Time Factors; Enterococcus; Human; Streptococcaceae; Liver failure; Nervous system diseases; Lactulose; Encephalopathy; Bacteria; Micrococcales; Digestive diseases; Lactic acid; Strain
• ISSN: 0300-0605; 1473-2300
• DOI: 10.1177/030006058701500602

Forty cirrhotic patients with non-advanced hepatic encephalopathy were randomly allocated into groups which were given orally either two capsules three times daily of a preparation of Enterococcus lactic acid bacteria strain SF68 or 30 ml lactulose four times daily. The patients were evaluated over a 10-day course of treatment and for 10 days post-treatment. The Enterococcus SF68 preparation proved to be as effective as lactulose in lowering blood ammonia, and in improving mental state and psychometric performance. Moreover, the effects of Enterococcus SF68, contrary to that of lactulose, persisted longer after treatment withdrawal. Some patients reported diarrhoea and abdominal pain with lactulose. Lactulose is a standard therapy in the treatment of patients with hepatic encephalopathy. In this study, however, the use of the Enterococcus SF68 preparation was shown to offer advantages over lactulose in these patients.