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Interaction between rifaximin and dietary fibre in patients with diverticular disease
Author(s) -
D'INCÀ R.,
POMERRI F.,
VETTORATO M. G.,
DAL PONT E.,
DI LEO V.,
FERRONATO A.,
MEDICI V.,
STURNIOLO G. C.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2007.03266.x
Subject(s) - rifaximin , medicine , diverticular disease , gastroenterology , diverticulitis , dietary fiber , disease , food science , antibiotics , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , biology
Summary Background Cyclic administration of rifaximin in association with dietary fibre achieves symptomatic relief in uncomplicated diverticular disease (DD) by means of a still undefined mechanism. Aim To investigate the effects of a combination of rifaximin and fibre on both hydrogen production by intestinal microflora and oro‐anal transit time. Methods In a controlled, double‐blind crossover trial, 64 patients with uncomplicated DD were given bran (20 g/day) and randomly treated with rifaximin (1200 mg/day) or a placebo for 14 days. Evaluation was based on clinical status, breath test, oro‐anal transit time and faecal weight. Results The global symptomatic score was significantly reduced after rifaximin (7.1 ± 4.1 to 4.1 ± 3.3; P < 0.005) but not after placebo (6.8 ± 3.8 to 6.1 ± 3.5). Hydrogen production significantly increased after placebo from 198 ± 134 to 267 ± 161 ppm/min, while Rifaximin reduced it from 222 ± 187 to 166 ± 131 ppm/min ( P = 0.05). The total oro‐anal transit time decreased from 56.1 ± 28.2 to 51.3 ± 28.0 h in placebo and from 54.4 ± 31.9 to 45.1 ± 32.4 h ( P < 0.05) in rifaximin‐treated patients. Conclusions The administration of rifamixin improves the benefits of dietary fibre in uncomplicated DD by preventing its bacterial degradation.