Intestinal bacterial overgrowth (IBO) and increased mucosal permeability are suggested to increase bacterial translocation (BT) in liver injury. Rifaximin (RIF) is a minimally absorbed oral antimicrobial agent that restores gut microflora imbalance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of RIF on BT frequency in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver injury. Group 1 was the control. In group 2 (TAA), rats received TAA daily for 3 days. In group 3 (TAA + RIF), RIF was commenced on the same day as the first dose of TAA. In group 4 (RIF), rats received only RIF. Ileal aspirate Escherichia coli counts were significantly lower in the TAA + RIF group than in TAA group. There was no difference in BT frequency between the TAA and TAA + RIF groups. Our results suggest that factors such as intestinal barrier dysfunction and impaired host immune shield, apart from IBO, play an important role in BT in this model.
C1 [Harputluoglu, Murat M. M.; Aladag, Murat; Bilgic, Yilmaz; Seckin, Yuksel] Inonu Univ, Fac Med, Dept Gastroenterol, Malatya, Turkey.
[Demirel, Ulvi] Firat Univ, Fac Med, Dept Gastroenterol, TR-23169 Elazig, Turkey.
[Gul, Mehmet] Inonu Univ, Fac Med, Dept Histol & Embryol, Malatya, Turkey.
[Temel, Ismail; Gursoy, Sule] Inonu Univ, Fac Med, Dept Biochem, Malatya, Turkey.
[Selcuk, Engin Burak] Inonu Univ, Fac Med, Dept Family Med, Malatya, Turkey.
[Gunduz, Ercan] Inonu Univ, Fac Med, Dept Internal Med, Malatya, Turkey.