The Effect of Probiotics (VSL) on Portal Hypertension
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2011-06-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The investigators will address the hypothesis that portal hypertension is mediated in part by
bacterial or endotoxin translocation and the production of inflammatory mediators (tumor
necrosis factor-α (TNFα), etc.). The investigators hypothesize that food supplementation with
the probiotic product VSL#3 in patients with Child Pugh B/C cirrhosis will have a beneficial
effect on in portal pressure (as measured by the HVPG) by reducing inflammatory mediators and
improving systemic and splanchnic hemodynamics.