10 Days of probiotic treatment significantly improves pre and postoperative liver function.

In a recent study published in Medical Archives, investigators report significant findings across numerous indicators suggesting supplementation with a multi-strain mix of beneficial microflora improves liver function in pre and postoperative conditions.  Specifically, Rifatbegovic, et al, tracked a number of biomarkers assessing the influence of probiotics in patients who underwent hepatic resection with HCC in cirrhosis.  Their study included 120 patients (60 receiving treatment, 60 control) who were selected for surgery in University hospitals in Tuzla, Maribor and Strasbourg.  Treatment included three days of supplementation preoperatively and seven days of oral supplementation postoperatively.

Rifatbegovic, et al, outlined several key areas to assess: liver function recovery, immune response, inflammation in the early postoperative period, intraoperative risks, type and frequency of intraoperative and postoperative complications, morality, and other factors. Serum analysis yielded significant findings: AST, ALT, GGT, ALP, total bilirubin, and conjugated bilirubin were all significantly lower in patients using probiotics at postoperative days seven and fourteen.  Beyond their lab analysis of biomarkers, researchers also observed statistically significant differences in postoperative complications, mortality and survival rates; all were lowered in patients taking probiotics.

One of the most significant findings in this study, assert Rifatbegovic et al, is the preoperative influence of beneficial flora, the “conclusion that preoperative use of probiotics improves the result of resection of the tumor in the liver and enhances the effect of cell activity during treatment.”  In all, researchers report that probiotic use in this clinical context improves liver function recover, enhances immune response in critical early postoperative periods and positively influences clinical outcomes.  Given the diverse array of statistically significant findings in this study, further research is warranted into the potential applications of probiotic treatment in liver disease. 

Study:  Rifatbegovic, Z., et al, Med Arh, 2010; 64(4)